RCMP are searching the home of a Cape Breton woman whose son has been charged in her death.
The body of Michelle Demers-Kennedy has never been found but her son, Merlin Demers-Kennedy, was charged with second-degree murder seven months after her disappearance.
Demers-Kennedy, 58, was last seen alive on May 2, 2013. She was reported missing on May 12, 2013 by one of her sons after he tried to contact her for Mother’s Day.
At the time, RCMP and search crews conducted extensive searches near Demers-Kennedy’s home on Three Rivers Road in Framboise, N.S. but they failed to locate her body.
The RCMP, forensics officers and officials with the medical examiner’s office are back searching the grounds.
Police don’t believe her body is at the home, but they are looking for any evidence that could move the investigation forward.
“Just anything that will forward evidence to the investigation itself to further explain the details surrounding her disappearance and death. I can’t go into specifics of what exactly we are looking for,” says RCMP Sgt. Mark MacPherson.
“We’re confident in our efforts and partnership with the medical examiner’s office. We will hopefully locate her remains eventually. We’re not looking for her remains specifically, that’s another part of the investigation.”
RCMP began searching the area Monday. Residents say they hope whatever they find will bring some closure to the case.
“It’s good. Everybody wants something finalized, find the body or something,” says area resident Roger Shaw. “I hope they find her. At least she could be buried.”
“It would be good for the family to have some closure and know what’s what,” says Neil Tonet.
RCMP say they will remain at Demers-Kennedy’s residence for the rest of the week.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
