'He deserves to be found': Protesters gather in Halifax over 'mishandling' of missing teen's case
A group of protesters gathered in Halifax Wednesday afternoon to bring attention to the disappearance of Devon Sinclair Marsman almost a year after he was reported missing.
About two dozen people attended the protest outside Halifax Regional Police headquarters on Gottingen Street.
In a poster promoting the event, organizers described the protest as as a “peaceful stand against the mishandling and lack of support regarding Devon’s missing person’s case.”
Marsman's mom, who attended Wednesday's protest, feels his case has been mishandled by police and says there's been a lack of support.
“I can guarantee you, whether I find him on a good note or a bad note, I’m going to find my son," said Theresa Gray.
"I’m not going to stop and I’m not going to allow his case to be cold, whatsoever. He’s a really, really good kid and he deserves to be found.”
Marsman was last seen on Feb. 24, 2022 and reported missing to police on March 4, 2022. He was 16 at the time.
At that time, Halifax Regional Police said they had no reason to suspect foul play in the teen’s disappearance.
However, police said in October that they believed Marsman’s disappearance was suspicious.
Police have not provided an update on the investigation since then.
Halifax Regional Police Const. John MacLeod told CTV News in an emailed statement on Wednesday that investigators are following up on information about the teen's disappearance that has been shared with police.
"We believe there are people that have information on Devon's disappearance that they haven't shared with police," said MacLeod. "We encourage them to do the right thing for Devon and his family and come foward with what they know."
Previous events for Marsman included a search in Spryfield, where he was reportedly last seen, in May, and a candlelight vigil in Halifax in June to mark 100 days since his disappearance.
Marsman, now 17, is described by police as African Nova Scotian, about five feet tall and 100 pounds, with blue-green eyes and short dark hair.
He was wearing a hoodie and jeans the last time he was seen.
The Nova Scotia government is offering up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Marsman’s disappearance.
Anyone with information on his case is asked to call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090, Halifax Regional Police at 902-490-5020, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.