About 150 people gathered in an Edmonton park on Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil in memory of a 20-year-old mathematical genius.
The body of Robert Barrington Leigh was found in the North Saskatchewan River on Tuesday, police confirmed Wednesday. He had been missing for nine days.
Police say they will not be releasing any further details about the cause of death because they have determined foul play was not involved.
Robert Barrington Leigh is seen in an undated family photo. Volunteers searched for him for nine days before his body was found on Tuesday.
(Canadian Press)
Barrington Leigh's mother, Iris, standing by a picture of her son, thanked those who involved in the search, even though it ended unhappily.
Robert Wong, Barrington Leigh's former math teacher, spoke for the family.
"We're forever grateful to you, all of you," Wong said.
"Thanks you guys, because we couldn't have done it without you," said Janet Hardy, a family friend who helped co-ordinate the volunteer search.
Hardy said the search for the missing man taught them a lot about how to co-ordinate a search. She says they plan on putting together a package to help other families who go through this same struggle.
During the search, volunteers posted 25,000 flyers in Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver and built a website.
Volunteers Corren Malloy and Carla Costurous said the experience restored their faith in the city, saying 135 people coming out to help search with one hour's notice was "totally amazing."
Edmonton water and sanitation workers found Barrington Leigh's body in the North Saskatchewan River. Edmonton police spokeswoman Lisa Lammi confirmed a number of pieces of identification had been found with the body, including a driver's licence.
Barrington Leigh, considered one of the top math students at the University of Toronto, hadn't been seen since he cycled to the Edmonton Folk Music Festival to meet some friends.
