A suspicious death in Upper Big Tracadie has been confirmed to be a homicide. The Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit (SWN MCU) continues to investigate the death, as well as several fires believed to be linked.
On May 31 at approximately 8:25 p.m., Antigonish County District RCMP responded to a report of a residential fire in the 0-1000 block of Highway 16 in Upper Big Tracadie. After the fire was extinguished, officers found a deceased man on the property.
On June 2, the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service determined the manner of death to be homicide.
In addition to the residential fire in Upper Big Tracadie, 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. The causes of the fires have been deemed suspicious and are being investigated for possible links to the homicide. They include:
- A second residential fire in the 0-1000-block of Hwy. 16, Upper Big Tracadie reported at approximately 9:25 p.m.
- An apartment complex fire on Tower R oad , Mulgrave reported at around 11:20 p.m.
- A fire at an abandoned residence in the 1000-block of Havre Boucher Road , Havre Boucher reported at midnight
- and fire at a lot in another section of Havre Boucher Road , Havre Boucher
Some residents of the Mulgrave fire sustained non-life-threatening injuries. They were assessed by EHS and transported to hospital as required .
To support the investigations, officers are seeking video footage (surveillance, dashcam, or doorbell) from Antigonish and/or Guysborough counties between the evening of May 31 and early June 1 showing either a black 2014 Chevrolet Sonic with pink spray paint or a silver 2010 Hyundai Accent with a temporary permit. Officers have located and seized the spray-painted vehicle.
Investigators believe this homicide and the fires are targeted incidents. From the outset, a potential link to the May 21 homicide in West Arm Tracadie was examined. Investigative steps found no evidence connecting the files , with police stating t hey are not related.
The investigation is ongoing and is led by the Southwest Nova MCU, with support from other RCMP units including Northeast Nova MCU, Antigonish County District RCMP, Antigonish-Guysborough Street Crime Enforcement Unit, Inverness County District RCMP, Forensic Identification Services, Digital Forensics Services, as well as the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service and the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Anyone with information, including relevant video footage, is asked to contact the RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit at 902-365-3120.
