The 2023 Nova Scotia Homicide Victim List is available here

Victoria County District RCMP responded to a report of a possible homicide at a home on Old Route 5 in Big Bras D’Or on November 22nd.

RCMP officers learned that Natacha Leroy, 48, had disappeared and the circumstances around her disappearance were suspicious.

On November 24, human remains were located by RCMP Police Dog Services in Big Bras D’Or. The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner’s Office has ruled the death a homicide and, on November 29, the remains were confirmed to be those of Natacha Leroy.

Update: On November 30, Carolyn Ann Dermody, 25, of North Sydney, was arrested on the Bedford Hwy. in Halifax. Dermody has been charged with Murder and Indignity to Human Remains.

On December 1, 2023, at approximately 5:40 p.m., Cape Breton Regional Police Service safely arrested the second suspect, 28-year-old Kevin Forrest Jr. of Big Bras D’Or, at a residence in Sydney Mines on behalf of the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit. Forrest Jr. has been charged with Accessory to Murder and Indignity to Human Remains.

Dermody and Forrest Jr. are scheduled to appear in Wagmatcook Provincial Court on December 6. RCMP said the investigation has determined that this was not a random incident and that Natacha was known to Dermody and Forrest Jr.

Update: On February 19, 2024, Cody Alexander Russell, 29, was safely arrested in New Brunswick. Russell has been charged with Accessory to Murder and Indignity to Human Remains. He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear tomorrow in Port Hawkesbury Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m.

The Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit is asking anyone with information about this incident to contact them at 902-896-5060.