Probe continues into N.S. family's death in travel trailer: 'It may take some time'
The ongoing investigation into the deaths of a family of six from Amherst continued Wednesday with limited developments and authorities suggesting answers may not come quickly.
The bodies of 30-year-old Robert (R.J.) Sears and 28-year-old Michelle Robertson, were discovered Sunday evening, along with four children, identified as 11-year-old Madison, eight-year-old Robert, known as 'Ryder', four-year-old Jaxson, and three-year-old Colin, who the family called 'C-J.'
Relatives discovered their remains in a travel trailer on a piece of property in Millvale, N.S., about 50 kilometres southeast of Amherst where the family lived.
They'd gone to the camper for a weekend getaway to celebrate C-J's, birthday the week before.
Concerns were raised when Robertson failed to show up for work at a retirement home on Sunday.
Police were called shortly after relatives found the bodies, and officers finally left the scene on Wednesday.
"The investigation is still continuing. It's still being lead by the Cumberland County District RCMP. Our officers did, however, release the scene where the fire occurred, and our officers are no longer present," NS RCMP Cpl. Chris Marshall told CTV News on Wednesday.
Along with police, the provincial medical examiner is also involved, having conducted autopsies on the victims.
The Fire Marshall is also working on the case, with spokesperson Krista Higdon telling CTV News via email, "the investigation is ongoing and it may take some time before it is finished."
Drone footage from the scene Tuesday appeared to show the newer model trailer intact, with no apparent exterior damage.
Experts say that's quite rare in the case of fire, which often sweeps quickly through a trailer and usually destroys it.
The case may also wind-up illustrating the importance of safety equipment in recreational vehicles.
"Carbon monoxide detector, a smoke detector, and a fire extinguishing system. So having those types of features in an RV, in a boat, in a trailer are vital," said Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Deputy Chief Roy Hollett, adding any case involving multiple deaths and children is very hard on families and first responders.
One RV dealer told CTV News that detectors are standard equipment in new units, but there's no guarantees in used ones, and the market's full of both.
Police are expecting to update on the case on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
He didn't trust police but sought their help anyway. Two days later, he was dead
Jameek Lowery was among more than 330 Black people who died after police stopped them with tactics that aren’t supposed to be deadly, like physical restraint and use of stun guns, The Associated Press found.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.