Three years after the remains of two men were found in a burned-out cabin in Sheet Harbour, N.S., the case is being added to the province’s Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program.
It isn’t easy, but Kirtley Beaver says she comes to the cemetery to visit her son’s grave as often as she can. She is pleading for answers in Matthew Hebb’s unsolved murder.
“Three years ago today, they came and took my DNA to identify my son’s body,” Beaver said.
Hebb and his friend Earle Stewart were found inside a burned-out cabin. They went to get Christmas trees and never returned.
Police deemed the fire suspicious, and launched a homicide investigation. Within days two people were arrested, but they were released without charges.
“Someone has to pay for taking the lives of two people,” Beaver said.
The case is now being highlighted by CrimeStoppers. The Department of Justice will offer up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Police are also planning to search several nearby bodies of water.
“The file has always remained open,” said Const. Mark Skinner of the Nova Scotia RCMP. “It’s never become a cold case in that way of thinking. Investigators have always been working on this file, and continue to do so to date.”
Kirtley Beaver says her life is forever changed. Her grandson is growing up without a father, and asking questions she can’t answer.
“This has torn my family apart,” she said. “All of us are suffering because we have no answers. We’d really like to have answers. (It would) be a nice Christmas present.”
She says her family may never get closure, but they’re hoping they will get justice.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell
