Missing N.S. woman believed dead; man charged with first-degree murder

Police in Nova Scotia now believe a woman reported missing earlier this month is dead, and a man has been charged in her disappearance.

Dale Allen Toole, 54, of Tremont, N.S., was charged on Wednesday with first-degree murder in the death of Esther Jones, 55.

However, the missing woman’s body has yet to be found.

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The RCMP provided an update on the case during a news conference in Dartmouth, N.S., Friday afternoon.

Jones was last seen alive at the Kingston Bible College in Kingston, N.S., on Aug. 31 and reported missing to police on Sept. 2.

Police found the woman’s vehicle – a silver 2009 Volkswagen Passat – abandoned in Greenwood, N.S., on Sept. 4. The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit took over the investigation at that time.

Struggle at the Kingston Bible College

N.S. RCMP Insp. Murray Marcichiw said during Friday’s news conference that police received tips from the public and information from Jones’ family that helped them in their investigation.

The information led them to conduct searches at eight different locations in Kingston, Greenwood and Annapolis County, and investigators eventually identified Toole as the suspect in the case.

Police believe Jones and Toole got into a struggle at the bible college on Aug. 31 and that Jones was killed at that location that afternoon.

As for their relationship, police said Toole and Jones were not related by blood, but they did have family members in common, and lived in the same area. They said they aren’t sure at this time how the two were connected and that remains part of the investigation.

They are not looking for any additional suspects at this time.

Toole found in Texas

Cpl. Jeff MacFarlane said during Friday’s news conference that Toole had fled the country and the RCMP worked with authorities in the U.S. and Mexico to track his movement.

He was eventually found at the airport in Houston, Texas where he was detained, and deported back to Canada.

Investigators believe Toole had been headed for Mexico before being detained in Texas.

MacFarlane said Toole was arrested after he landed in Toronto on Thursday. He remains in custody there and is expected to be escorted back to Nova Scotia on Saturday.

MacFarlane said he will likely appear in Kentville provincial court on Monday, though an official court date had not been set as of Friday afternoon.

Investigation ongoing as police search for remains

While a charge has been laid in the case, police said the investigation remains active as they continue to search for the remains of Esther Jones.

“Our work is not over. It’s continuing. Miss Jones’ remains have not been located and though this file is now before the court, our investigational work is not concluded,” said Marcichiw.

“I know that finding Miss Jones’ remains will help answer some of the outstanding questions that investigators and her family have and aid in their healing journey.”

Investigators are urging anyone with information about the case to reach out to police.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.