Two people arrested in connection with a double-homicide in Sheet Harbour, N.S. have been released without charges.
Police arrested a 45-year-old woman in Halifax and a 61-year-old man in Sheet Harbour around 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Investigators had 24 hours from the time of the arrest to lay charges, but the pair was released from custody this morning.
Officers also executed search warrants at a home on Herring Cove Road in Halifax and a property on Highway 374 in Sheet Harbour in connection with the case.
“As far as the searches, we are working for evidence in relation to the two (victims),” says RCMP Cpl. Scott MacRae. “As far as what’s being seized, I can’t comment on that at this time.”
Records show the property being searched in Sheet Harbour belongs to Elmer Percy Vincent Higgins and Karen Marie Higgins.
The home being searched in Halifax also belongs to the Higgins, according to Service Nova Scotia records.
Neighbours say the owners mostly keep to themselves.
“I know she has a few big dogs, and I see her walk the dogs once in awhile, but other than that, no real activity,” says neighbour Stacey King.
The arrests come after police responded to a fire at a hunting camp on Highway 374 on Dec. 13.
When they arrived on the scene, they found the bodies of two men in the burned-out rubble of the camp, which was destroyed in the blaze.
On Friday, police confirmed the men had been murdered, although they aren’t saying how they died.
RCMP remained on the site over the weekend as they searched the property for evidence.
Police say it appears the men were in the area looking for Christmas trees.
Investigators won’t say if a murder weapon has been found but they confirm a van was seized.
“We seized the van because we believe that one of the two men was driving the vehicle, and as they left, they had the trees in the back of the van,” says Cpl. Scott MacRae.
People in the neighbourhood say the victims are Matthew Hebb, 22, and Earle Stewart, 59.
Police are not making any other comments at this time.
