RCMP divers spent much of Monday searching for evidence in Chester Basin, N.S., in connection with the death of Victoria Brauns-Buckley over four years ago.

At the same time, 22-year-old John “Jack” Buckley was in custody at Bridgewater provincial court after being charged with the first-degree murder of his mother, Victoria Brauns-Buckley.

“I can't give you specific information unfortunately as to what they were searching for, but I can confirm they were searching the Chester Basin area today,” said Const. Tammy Lobb of Nova Scotia RCMP.

The search happened near a dock across the street from where Brauns-Buckley lived.

Police won't say what information allowed them to make the arrest four years later. Neighbours say they saw Jack Buckley in handcuffs on Saturday with investigators on the dock.

“Our investigators did travel to the Borgles Point Road area with Jack Buckley in relation to this investigation,” said Const. Lobb.

People in the area also noticed police searching a wooded trail the day after the arrest.

Jack Buckley’s lawyer appeared on his behalf for a brief hearing Monday in Bridgewater provincial court.

“(Buckley) is accused of murdering his mother, so he is not doing great,” said defence attorney Pat MacEwen.

The case is due back in court on May 11, when dates for a preliminary hearing are scheduled to be set.

The defence is requesting additional disclosure from the Crown before then.

This is the second time Buckley has been charged in connection with the death of 57-year-old Victoria Brauns-Buckley.

Brauns-Buckley was found dead in her home on Borgels Point Road in Chester Basin, N.S., on March 2, 2012.

Her son, who was 18 years old at the time, was initially charged with second-degree murder in her death, but the Crown dropped the charge, saying there wasn’t enough evidence for a conviction.

Buckley, who now lives in Montreal, was arrested again on Friday on Highway 103, near Chester, N.S., and charged with first-degree murder.

“If the charge is first-degree murder it involves an element of planning and premeditation,” said Crown attorney Leigh-Ann Bryson.

Buckleywill remain in custody until his court date next month.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kelland Sundahl.