Alberta dad learns about son’s death in Victoria after Googling his name, finding obituary
Global News
The funeral home in B.C. posted Scott Grier’s obituary online as a courtesy, in hopes a family member would come across it after the Alberta man died in Victoria in May 2022.
Glen Grier, from Stony Plain, Alta., wanted to send his son a birthday message. Scott Grier, 36, had been living on the streets in Victoria, B.C., and his dad hadn’t heard from him in a while.
He made a discovery that’s perhaps a parent’s worst fear: finding out through a Google search last week that his child was dead — and has been for the past eight months.
“It got me thinking, nobody notified me so maybe it’s not him, maybe it’s somebody else,” Grier said.
Scott had a hard life. He struggled with addictions and experienced homelessness. He moved from Edmonton to Victoria in 2019, but checked in with family every few months.
Grier said Scott didn’t always have a phone, so family had a hard time reaching him sometimes and waited on Scott to contact them.
Last week, Grier noted it had been too long since he’d last heard from his son. He wanted to call so Scott could talk to his seven-year-old daughter, who is in Grier and his wife Michelle’s care.
Grier, who at times became overwhelmed with emotion when speaking with Global News, described his son as a free spirit and fun person.
On Jan. 18 – Scott’s birthday – Grier searched his son’s name online, like he’s done before when trying to make contact.