<p>On August 13, a friend of my D3 disappeared while on his way to meet some friends at a music festival, a few short weeks before his planned return to U of Toronto for his final year of school. Sadly, his body was found yesterday morning in a river not far from his home. His girlfriend had flown in from her summer program in Italy to help with the search. An autopsy will determine if foul play was involved, and the search for his bicycle continues. </p>
<p>Robert Barrington Leigh, 20, was an amazing math prodigy, known all over Canada for his abilities. His professors at U of T all expected him to go on to a top grad program to continue his studies, even at his young age. Hundreds of his friends from U of T descended on Edmonton to assist, along with his siblings, by setting up the linked website and organizing searches. It’s going to be a sad start to this school year for everyone who knew and loved this bright, sweet, and gentle boy.</p>
<p>What a tragedy. It’s always heart-wrenching when anyone dies so untimely early, but he sounds to have had such promise. My sympathies to your D and all who knew and loved him. I’ll hug my two in Robert’s memory this morning.</p>
<p>I am so deeply saddened to read of this tragic ending. I did not know about the case until you posted and I can’t imagine the frenzy they have suffered all week searching for him. It sounds like an outpouring of help and concern from a wide range in the community. I am so sorry for his family and friends. Losing a child is horrific. Add to that, this particular young man appears to have been a math genious with a very promising future. A very tragic loss. I’m sure this has to be so hard on his peers, as well as his family. I wonder what happened. </p>
<p>As parents, we all worry about our kids’ safety. I worry about it constantly. I am leaving shortly to travel to an airport to pick one of my kids up who has been traveling on her own alone in France all summer. You can bet that I sat on pins and needles as she went from place to place and called upon her arrival at each destination. Most parents, or at least ME, think of all the things that can happen. Luckily most kids have kept safe. For Robert, he wasn’t so lucky. No rhyme or reason. So very sad. I am sure we can all relate as parents. </p>
<p>Thank you for sharing and also the links as a tribute so others can learn what this special young man accomplished in his life which was cut too short. </p>
<p>Prayers for all those close to this boy.
Susan</p>
<p>a similar thing happened to a boy from my college last year who went to New York and was eventually was found in the hudson river (I think). I feel for his friends and family.</p>
<p>What a devastatingly tragic event…I am so, so sorry to read of the loss of this most amazing and brilliant young man. My sympathies to your daughter on the loss of her friend and to his grieving family and the wide net of others whose lives have been altered by this untimely and unnecessary loss. My heart goes out to you all.</p>
<p>To lose a life with such boundless potential compounds the magnitute of this tragedy. </p>
<p>{{{{{{{{{Gentle Hugs}}}}}}}}} to all of those whose lives have been irreparably impacted by the loss of this very accomplished and lovely young man. ~berurah</p>
<p>Thank you to all of you for your kind words. This young man was truly a gem and the world is going to be a smaller place in the years to come without him. I’m glad that I could share just a small sample of Robert with you through the linked articles.</p>