Cape Breton police ask for public's help in finding Justin MacDonald's remains

Police in Cape Breton are asking for the public’s help in finding the remains of a missing man they believe was murdered.

Kenneth “Justin” MacDonald, 34, was last seen on surveillance footage at the Irving gas station on Commercial Street in North Sydney, N.S., on July 7, 2024. He was reported missing the next day.

Investigators found his vehicle, a blue Kia Forte, roughly 25 kilometers away in the Ormand Crescent area of Mira Road on July 10.

Police announced in November they were treating his disappearance as a homicide.

Three men were arrested and charged last month in connection with MacDonald’s disappearance and murder.

Aaron Curtis Mickey, 45, is charged with second-degree murder, robbery and four firearm-related offences.

Ryan Joseph Pyke, 36, is charged with second-degree murder and robbery.

Mitchell McPhee, 38, is charged with manslaughter, robbery and assault.

All three men are scheduled to appear in court later this month.

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Cape Breton Regional Police answered reporters questions during a media availability about the case Thursday morning. They confirmed a firearm and robbery are connected to the case, but wouldn’t provide any additional information.

“This has been an incredibly difficult time for the MacDonald family, and we hope that these arrests will bring them some degree of closure as they continue to mourn the loss of their son,” Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Robert Walsh told reporters.

Walsh said, despite an extensive six-month investigation, MacDonald’s body has not been found.

Police say they have followed up on hundreds of tips and searched more than 50 locations in the CBRM with drones and K9 units.

“I ask that if there’s anyone in the public who has any information related to this matter, please come forward at this time. It’s never too late to do the right thing. Help us to bring Justin home to his family,” Walsh said.

Police say MacDonald’s death was an isolated incident and not a random act.

Insp. Joe Farrell also spoke to media Thursday. He said some of the people involved in the case are known to one another, though he wouldn’t speak to the relationship between them.

There are also additional people police plan to speak to and other charges may be possible.

Police say their investigation will continue until MacDonald is found, and while there is no current active search, investigators will follow up on any leads.

“I’m hopeful that we definitely could find Justin MacDonald to provide answers to the family, also to provide answers to the community, as they’ve also been following this incident very closely over the last number of months,” Farrell said.

MacDonald's father says the fact police think they can still find his son's remains gives him a glimmer of hope.

"They can't share a lot of stuff with us. They can only give us so much, but I know they're on top of it and I think they're going to do it," said Ken MacDonald.

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