A missing 89-year-old man who disappeared in the Canmore, Alberta area has been found safe, the local RCMP confirmed on Wednesday evening July 29, 2026. Delbert was located “safe and well” after a search that drew on community tips and specialized rescue resources.
Delbert had been the subject of a public appeal for help earlier this week. Canmore RCMP turned to the public for sightings, a tactic that often proves vital in a region where dense trail networks can quickly disorient vulnerable hikers.
In a statement after Delbert was found, the RCMP thanked residents for their role in the outcome. “Thank you to the entire community of Canmore for your assistance in helping us find him,” police said.
The successful resolution mirrors other cases in the Bow Valley. In 2020, 70-year-old Richard Lewis, who suffered from dementia and other medical issues, was found after going missing from trails behind Quarry Lake. In 2019, a 95-year-old woman with dementia was located safe in a local grocery store at about 6 p.m., roughly six hours after she vanished from her downtown Canmore home.
Across the country, between 70,000 and 80,000 people are reported missing to police each year, according to RCMP national statistics. Most are found within seven days, but searches in the mountainous terrain around Canmore often require coordinated help from teams including Cochrane and Calgary Search and Rescue, Alberta Parks conservation officers, Kananaskis Public Safety specialists, and the RCMP Police Dog Service.
The Canmore RCMP Detachment serves not only the town but also nearby communities such as Dead Man’s Flats, Exshaw, Gap, Harvie Heights, Lac des Arcs, and Seebe. Residents with non-emergency inquiries can reach the detachment at 403-678-5519.
