Police say human remains found near Debert, N.S., in July are those of a man reported missing from the Bible Hill area in February. Thomas Francis Joseph MacGillivray, who went by “Joe,” was last seen on Jan. 16. The Colchester County District RCMP said it was looking for the 40-year-old man in February. Police said on Aug. 13 they had received a report that human remains may have been found in a wooded area near Debert on July 22. Officers responded to the site, recovered the remains, and conducted additional searches in the area to locate further evidence. Investigators said last month they were working with the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service to confirm the man’s identity and the circumstances surrounding his death. The RCMP said on Wednesday that the remains have been positively identified as those of MacGillivray. The manner of his death is still under investigation, but police previously said they believe criminality is a factor. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the death of Joe MacGillivray to contact the Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit, which is leading the investigation, at 902-896-5060. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
