Marshal Iwaasa Disappearance in Alberta Canada

Marshal Iwaasa was born on January 3, 1993, in Lethbridge, Alberta. He grew up in a loving, close-knit family and was especially adored by his sister, Paige Fogen, and her children. Known for his gentle nature, quiet intelligence, and strong family ties, Marshal was the kind of person people trusted. He had a reputation for being dependable, a guy who’d show up when you needed him.

After years of working physically demanding jobs in construction and landscaping, Marshal decided to pursue higher education. He enrolled in the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary to study computer programming, hoping to build a future that didn’t rely so heavily on physical labor. His family was proud of him and excited for the opportunities he was creating for himself.

However, all was not as it seemed. Unbeknownst to his loved ones, Marshal had withdrawn from SAIT after facing academic challenges and being placed on academic probation. He also discontinued his phone plan, further disconnecting himself from his inner circle. These choices would only become apparent after his sudden and inexplicable disappearance.

The Last Day: November 17, 2019

Marshal visited his mother in Lethbridge on the evening of November 17, 2019. It was an unremarkable Sunday, and nothing in his demeanor suggested anything was amiss. He helped his mom with her computer and chatted with her for about an hour. When she offered him a place to stay for the night, he declined, stating he needed to retrieve belongings from a shared storage unit before heading back to Calgary.

This would be the last time anyone from his family saw him.

Marshal was later captured on surveillance video at the storage facility. He attempted to access the unit multiple times throughout the early morning of November 18 and was successful just after 6:00 a.m. He spent over two hours inside. After that, all traces of him vanished.

A Shocking Discovery in British Columbia

On November 23, 2019—six days after his last confirmed sighting—Marshal’s burned-out 2009 GMC Sierra pickup truck was discovered in a remote logging area near the Brian Waddington Hut, close to Pemberton, British Columbia. That’s over 1,100 kilometers, or about a 14-hour drive, from Lethbridge.

Hikers stumbled upon the smoldering vehicle in a desolate mountainous area rarely visited during winter. Next to the truck, investigators found several of Marshal’s personal belongings, including his backpack, destroyed laptop, and three smashed cell phones. Oddly, some items didn’t belong to him, and key components of the truck were missing.

The condition of the truck and surrounding evidence suggested foul play. The fire had started inside the passenger cabin—strongly indicating arson. A Zippo lighter was found near the driver’s seat, though authorities never confirmed whether it had been used to start the blaze.

The Incomplete Investigation

From the start, Marshal’s family felt the investigation lacked urgency. The truck was burned and missing parts, the belongings were clearly tampered with, and there were signs suggesting someone else had been at the scene after the fire.

Despite this, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) treated the case as a standard missing persons investigation, not a criminal matter. Vital leads were lost due to delays and lack of follow-through:

• Surveillance footage from gas stations along the potential route was not collected.
• No DNA or fingerprint analysis was publicly reported from the scene.
• Authorities declined to issue a Canada-wide criminal alert or initiate an AMBER-style search.

Marshal’s family hired a private investigator who concluded the fire was clearly intentional. They petitioned for the case to be reclassified as criminal, but Lethbridge Police Services insisted there was no “credible or corroborated” evidence pointing to foul play.

To this day, it remains a missing persons case.

Public Outcry and Ongoing Awareness

Paige Fogen, Marshal’s sister, became the most vocal advocate for her brother’s case. She launched the “Find Marshal Iwaasa” Facebook group, which has grown to over 16,000 members. Family members and community volunteers distribute posters, organize vigils, and collaborate with podcasts, news outlets, and TV series to keep Marshal’s story alive.

The case has been featured on several major platforms:

• Investigation Discovery’s “Still A Mystery”
• Paramount+’s “Never Seen Again”
• Canada Unsolved podcast and website
• The Missing podcast (UK)

Despite significant exposure, new leads remain rare and inconclusive. Each year, on the anniversary of Marshal’s disappearance, family and supporters renew their calls for action.

Theories and Speculation

There are numerous theories surrounding Marshal Iwaasa’s disappearance, ranging from plausible to bizarre. Some of the most discussed include:

Mental Health-Related Voluntary Disappearance:
Authorities originally suggested that Marshal may have left on his own, possibly due to academic and personal stress. However, his family adamantly denies this. They say he wouldn’t have left without contacting someone, especially given his devotion to family.

Foul Play and Abduction:
Many believe Marshal encountered someone—possibly at or after the storage unit—who led him to British Columbia under duress or coercion. The arson, smashed electronics, and tampered scene support this theory.

Organized Crime or Human Trafficking:
Less substantiated, but not impossible. The location where his truck was found is extremely remote, possibly indicating he was taken there intentionally to throw off search efforts.

Connection to Other Missing Persons Cases:
Some internet sleuths and crime analysts have speculated that Marshal’s case may be linked to other young men who’ve gone missing in remote areas. While this theory lacks hard evidence, patterns in similar disappearances have led to discussion of a possible serial offender.

Family’s Fight for Justice

Marshal’s family continues to press for accountability, including:

• Reclassification of his case to a criminal investigation.
• Full forensic examination of evidence.
• Interviews with potential witnesses, especially those near the storage facility and logging road.
• Access to surveillance footage from along the route.

They’ve also submitted his information to international missing persons databases and collaborated with nonprofit groups like “Please Bring Me Home.”

The emotional toll has been immense. As Paige Fogen has expressed, the absence of closure is devastating. The family lives in a constant limbo, caught between grief and hope.

Recent Developments and Dead Ends

In May 2023, an unidentified body was recovered from the St. Lawrence River near Montreal. Some online sleuths speculated it resembled Marshal, but DNA testing ruled out any connection.

As of 2025, there have been no significant breakthroughs. The burned-out truck remains one of the most baffling clues, with few answers about how it got there or who might have accompanied (or harmed) Marshal.

Frustratingly, without new evidence or witness testimony, the case has reached a standstill—yet his family refuses to give up.

A Plea to the Public

Marshal Iwaasa didn’t just vanish—someone knows something.

Anyone who might have seen Marshal or his vehicle between November 17–23, 2019, is urged to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to local police or through Crime Stoppers.

Even the smallest piece of information could change everything.