YARMOUTH, N.S. — The case of a missing person in Yarmouth County has now turned into a homicide investigation, according to the RCMP.
Colton James Cook, 26, had been reported missing on Sept. 27. In a Sept. 30 media release the RCMP said Cook's body had been located.
“The remains were located on Sept. 29 near the intersection of Saunders Road and Raynardton Road in Yarmouth County,” reads the media release. “The death of Colton James Cook is considered by police to be suspicious and it is being investigated as a homicide.”
The RCMP says the Southwest Nova Major Crimes Unit is conducting the investigation with the assistance of the Yarmouth town and rural detachments.
The RCMP is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact them.
Asked if there is any specific type of information the RCMP is looking for, Sgt. Andrew Joyce said they are looking for any details that could aid in the investigation – whether or not people believe it’s important.
“Generally any little thing at all. In a circumstance like this people think, ‘oh that would never be relevant’ and a lot of the time those little things that sometimes people think won’t be relevant are relevant, and we find out at the very end if we had known that earlier it could have been groundbreaking for us in the investigation,” he said Wednesday. “So anything at all.”
No details pertaining to cause of death was included in the RCMP’s media release.
In a previous missing persons media release issued on Sunday, Sept. 27, the RCMP said Cook had last been seen at 11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. The RCMP said he was last seen in the Brooklyn area of Yarmouth County. When last seen, Cook was said to have been wearing a black sweater, jeans, black and orange steel-toe boots, and a black hat.
His family and the police were concerned for his safety, read the media release.
There were many social media postings seeking help in locating the missing man. Some of those postings, including ones by his family, referred to a truck belonging to Cook as having been found. The RCMP confirmed on the weekend a burnt truck that had been found near the Pitman Road was part of the investigation.
An online fundraising was also launched on Facebook to collect money to help the family deal with funeral expenses.
"This is a fundraiser for Colton James cook of Brenton South Ohio. Yarmouth NS, who was taken from us far too soon," the page reads, saying his life was taken in such a violent manner. "Support of any kind would be greatly appreciated by the family to help with the unexpected expenses associated with laying their only son to rest at the young age of 26. The family of Colton James Cook would like to thank everyone for their continued support during these times."
As of the 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 1, more than $17,000 had been raised in support of the family. The page is called: Funeral Expenses Fundraiser for Colton James Cook
Anyone with information that could aid in the investigation is asked to contact the RCMP's Southwest Nova Major Crimes Unit at 902-365-3120. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips App.
