Investigators have completed their search in the Truro, N.S. area in connection with the homicide of 22-year-old Taylor Samson.
Police started searching a property in Lower Truro last Tuesday. On Thursday, searchers located “several items of possible interest” believed to be connected to the case, although police have not said what those items are.
Investigators expanded the search Saturday to include property off Marshland Drive in Truro.
Police say the overall search concluded Monday at 2:15 p.m. but that Samson’s remains have yet to be found.
While police haven’t found Samson’s body, they say there was enough evidence to charge a 22-year-old Dalhousie University student with first-degree murder in Samson’s death.
Samson, 22, was last seen leaving his home in the 6000 block of South Street around 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 15. He was reported missing the following day.
According to the Information to Obtain a Search Warrant, police suspect Samson went to sell marijuana to a new client the night he disappeared.
The documents state that one of Samson’s friends told police he seemed nervous about the meeting because he was selling four pounds of marijuana – a higher amount than usual.
Samson reportedly had asked many of his friends to go with him that night, but no one could go, so he went alone.
Police arrested William Michael Sandeson outside an address on Leaman Drive in Dartmouth around 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 18.
Investigators searched an apartment in the 1200 block of Henry Street, located a block away from Dalhousie University, the following day. Police believe Samson was murdered at the apartment.
According to court documents, Sandeson lives at the address, although he is originally from Truro.
Sandeson has been charged with first-degree murder in Samson’s death. Sandeson's lawyer appeared on his behalf in Halifax provincial court on Aug. 20.
He was remanded into custody and is due back in court on Sept. 2.
Dalhousie University has released a statement confirming that both Samson and Sandeson were students at the school and that they both lived off campus.
Samson was a third-year physics student while Sandeson was accepted to first-year medical school and would have started classes on Aug. 24.
Sandeson also has a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from Dalhousie University and is a varsity athlete on the roster for the Tigers men’s track and field team.