Dean Samson is pleading for information that may help police find his son.
“I know he won't be as he was, but we would like to be able to at least have some closure for this,” he said.
For nearly a week, police scoured a large property in the Truro area for the body of Dalhousie University student Taylor Samson.
Police called off the search on Monday.
Samson’s stepmother Karen Burke says it only adds to the heartbreak.
“It has to be somewhere,” she said. “He has a right to be found.”
Police say they found items they believe are connected to the murder investigation, but won’t say how.
“I was hoping they would find him,” said Dean.
Court documents indicate officers believe Samson was selling drugs the night he was killed.
“I don't want people to remember him as the drug dealer,” said Dean. “Because that's not who he was.”
Police have charged 22-year-old William Sandeson with first degree murder in the case.
Burke says two families have now been destroyed.
“We're parents of somebody who was murdered, but I couldn't imagine either being the parent also of somebody who was accused of murder,” she said.
The case is due back in court on Wednesday. Burke says she will follow it closely.
“So that I can be there for Taylor,” she said. “So that he's not alone.”
Police say the investigation remains active, but they have no new information to share.
Samson’s family hopes sharing their pain will compel someone to come forward with information.
“We all loved him and he loved us.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Kayla Hounsell.
