An accused murderer is missing and police have issued Canada-wide warrants for his arrest, Calgary police said Thursday.
Nathan Paul Gervais, 21, was supposed to be under 24-hour house arrest while awaiting trial. But he was not at his home when police checked up on him Saturday April 16, and investigators haven’t been able to find him since.
Police said they need the public’s help now that other investigative avenues have failed so far.
Gervais was charged with first-degree murder in the November 2013 death of Lukas Strasser-Hird. Jury selection for the trial is scheduled for late next week.
Investigators said Strasser-Hird, then 18, was found outside a southwest bar suffering from multiple cuts and stab wounds. Police said at the time they believe he was also stomped. Four others were also charged in the attack: Franz Cabrera, 19, Joch Pouk, 20, Assmar Shlah, 20, Jordan Liao, 19, all from Calgary, were charged with second-degree murder.
Watch below: Global’s past coverage of the death of Lukas Strasser-Hird
Gervais is described as 5’8” with a medium build, brown hair and brown eyes. He was not wearing a monitor.
His disappearance has upset Strasser-Hird’s father, Dale Hird.
“This is exactly what we feared,” said Hird, who was told about Gervais’ disappearance by Global News on Thursday afternoon.
Hird had attended the bail hearing for Gervais back in 2014 when he was granted release.
He was outraged then, and the latest news has only fueled his frustration with the justice system.
“It was our biggest fear, either them getting out and hurting someone else or getting out and not paying the price,” said Hird.
Hird says he can’t help but wonder if the trial will proceed if Gervais cannot be located.
“It’s a serious blow, it’s been a hard afternoon and I’m enraged about this. This is exactly what shouldn’t have happened… first degree murder should not get out on bail.. the police charge him, they obviously have the evidence.. it’s a disgrace really.”
Police on Friday said Gervais’ disappearance could be “quite impactful” on the upcoming trial since there are other accused.
“(It) has the potential to delay everything,” Inspector Don Coleman, Calgary Police Service Major Crimes, said.
Anyone who’s been in contact with Gervais in the past week is asked to call police at 403-266-1234, the Homicide Unit Tip Line at 403-428-8877 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
With files from Nancy Hixt