Suspicious death in Antigonish County ruled a homicide: N.S. RCMP

N.S. RCMP are seeking surveillance footage in relation to the recently ruled homicide in Antigonish County. (Courtesy of Nova Scotia RCMP)

Nova Scotia RCMP has confirmed a suspicious death in Upper Big Tracadie to be a homicide.

Officers responded to a report of a residential fire in the 0-1000 block of Highway 16 around 8:25 p.m. on May 31.

“After the fire was extinguished, officers found a deceased man on the property,” reads an RCMP news release.

The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service determined the manner of death to be homicide on Tuesday.

The Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit is still investigating the death, as well as a series of potentially related fires.

“RCMP, fire services, and the Office of the Fire Marshal responded to four other fires between the evening of May 31 and the early morning of June 1,” reads the release.

Police have deemed the following fires suspicious and are investigating them for possible links to the homicide:

• a second residential fire in the 0-1000 block of Highway 16, Upper Big Tracadie reported at around 9:25 p.m.
• an apartment complex fire on Tower Road, Mulgrave, reported at roughly 11:20 p.m.
• a fire at an abandoned residence in the 1000 block of Havre Boucher Road, Havre Boucher, reported at midnight.
• a fire at a lot in another section of Havre Boucher Road.

Some residents of the Mulgrave property reported non-life-threatening injuries. They were assessed by EHS and transported to hospital.

Investigators believe the homicide and fires are targeted incidents. They investigated a potential link to the May 21 homicide in West Arm Tracadie but have determined the incidents are unrelated.

Officers are seeking video footage from surveillance, dashcam, or doorbells from Antigonish and Guysborough counties to help their investigation.

They’re specifically looking for footage showing either a black 2014 Chevrolet Sonic with pink spray paint or a silver 2010 Hyundai Accent with a temporary permit.

RCMP say officers have located and seized the spray-painted vehicle.

Police encourage anyone with information or relevant video footage is asked to contact the RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit at 902-365-3120.

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