Despite the release of a provincial report that found the death of Clayton Miller 25 years ago to be an accident, his parents say they are still fighting for justice.
Miller’s body was found face down in a brook in May of 1990, two days after New Waterford police raided a teen party in the woods.
On Sunday, his parents held a walk in their son’s memory.
“We’re doing what we are supposed to be doing,” said Gervase Miller. “Not just because we miss him, but because he had a life and it was taken from him.”
Two autopsy reports have concluded that his death was accidental, but the Millers maintain Clayton was murdered.
“We want to keep exposing the facts and hope that eventually someone in a position of power will come forward and clean this up,” said Gervase Miller, Clayton’s father.
The walk has been held every year on the Sunday closest to the date of Clayton’s death. When the Millers started their campaign in 1993, they walked alone. This year, hundreds of people came to show their support, holding signs and wearing T-shirts as they walked through New Waterford.
“(I’m here) to find out the truth and to help them,” said supporter David Syms. “If it was my son, I would want people here to support us.”
“It’s horrendous,” said Heather Timmons. “I don’t know how they keep going. They’re very strong people.”
Both the chief coroner and Nova Scotia’s Serious Incident Response Team have investigated the case. Two weeks ago, another provincial report into Clayton Miller’s death was released. It determined his death was accidental.
The Justice minister is now recommending the file be closed, but the Millers are not convinced.
“Something has to be done,” said Maureen Miller, Clayton’s mother. “Why won’t they meet with us? Let Premier McNeil meet with us. We will show you what we’re talking about and we will show you the inconsistencies in both reports.”
The Millers say they will continue to walk in Clayton’s memory every year.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kyle Moore
