'Very hard': Justin MacDonald's family face man charged in his death at Sydney court

Justin MacDonald's family is pictured at the Sydney Justice Centre following a court appearance on Dec. 16, 2024. (Ryan MacDonald/CTV Atlantic)

It was an emotional day in Sydney provincial court on Monday as the family of Kenneth “Justin” MacDonald faced the man charged in his death.

“Very.. very hard,” said Ken MacDonald, Justin MacDonald's father. "I was kind of hoping (the accused) would turn around and look me in the eye, but cowards don't do that. They look straight forward."

On Friday, 38-year-old Mitchell George McPhee was charged with manslaughter in connection with MacDonald's disappearance.

In a news release, Cape Breton Regional Police said they arrested McPhee in Sydney last Thursday.

MacDonald, 34, was last seen July 7 on surveillance camera at the Irving gas station in North Sydney, N.S.

In November, police announced they were investigating the case as a homicide.

Kenneth "Justin" MacDonald of North Sydney, N.S., is seen in this image provided by Cape Breton Regional Police Service.

MacDonald's mother, who said she did make eye contact with the accused in court, said while Friday's charge was a significant first step, her son's remains still have not been found.

"It's a relief,” Peggy MacDonald said, referring to Friday's arrest. "And it's also frightening to think he's out there."

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McPhee, who is also charged with robbery and assault in the case, was represented by a Nova Scotia Legal Aid lawyer during his brief appearance, during which he consented to further remand until a bail hearing on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Cape Breton Police Force confirmed on Monday there is no further update on the whereabouts of MacDonald's body.

Kenneth "Justin" MacDonald of North Sydney, N.S., was reported missing in July 2024. His disappearance has been ruled a homicide. (The MacDonald Family)

“We'll keep on searching for Justin. We still don't have our son,” Ken MacDonald said.

Police said on Friday that further arrests and charges are pending in the case. For MacDonald's parents, who have been out searching for their son each day since he was last seen, that can't come soon enough.

“I think there's a lot more to come, and I hope that they follow through,” Ken MacDonald said. "If there's more that's coming, I want them now. Not tomorrow, but I'd like to see them now."

McPhee remains on remand at the Cape Breton Correctional Centre until Friday's bail hearing in Sydney.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.