A City in Mourning: 16-Year-Old Carter Spivak-Villeneuve Identified as Homicide Victim
Calgary, Alberta – A heartbreaking wave of grief has swept across the city following the tragic and untimely death of 16-year-old Carter Spivak-Villeneuve, whose life was taken far too soon in a senseless act of violence. In the early morning hours of Friday, August 1st, Calgary Police responded to a call on the 300 block of Abergale Drive N.E. after reports of someone in medical distress. Upon arrival, officers found a young male lifeless at the scene — a scene that would soon become the epicenter of sorrow for an entire community.
Later that day, an autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the unthinkable: Carter’s death was ruled a homicide. Just 16 years old, Carter’s life had barely begun. Now, his name joins a tragic list no parent ever wants to see their child’s name on — the list of Calgary’s homicide victims for 2025.
“This is a deeply troubling case given the victim’s young age,” said Acting Staff Sgt. Clark Budd of the Calgary Police Homicide Unit. “We continue to investigate and are asking anyone who may have information about Carter’s movements or who he may have been with before his death to come forward.”
Unanswered Questions, Unimaginable Pain: Family and Community Grieve Together
As news of Carter’s death spread, tributes began pouring in across Calgary — from classmates, teachers, neighbors, and even strangers moved by the tragic loss of such a young life. Described by friends as kind-hearted, full of energy, and passionate about music and video games, Carter’s absence is already being deeply felt in the places he used to laugh, learn, and live.
The grief that follows a loss like this is immeasurable. His family is devastated, clinging to memories of a vibrant child whose future was cruelly cut short. A candlelight vigil is being discussed by local residents to honor Carter’s memory and offer support to his family in this painful time. The heartbreaking reality is that another young life has been stolen, and a family must now live with questions that may never be fully answered.
Police are pleading with the public for any leads. Anyone who was in the area between midnight and 1:30 a.m. is asked to check security footage, dashcams, or simply come forward if they noticed anything unusual. Even the smallest detail could help bring justice for Carter.
