'We found our son': Remains discovered near Sydney those of Justin MacDonald, says father

Human remains found Monday in a rural area south of Sydney, N.S., are those of Justin MacDonald, said the missing man's father, whose tireless search for his son ended two days ago when he came across a familiar-looking shirt and sandal.

Ken MacDonald told CBC News in an interview he and another man were out searching on Morley Road around 5 p.m. when they spotted the items that matched ones belonging to the 34-year-old man. A skull was also found.

MacDonald said he's confident "we found our son."

"Right now it's unofficial, but I got so many people behind us, so many people who supported us and so many missing people out there in the world, I wanted them to know [on] Monday night, after searching 322 days ... we're bringing Justin home," he said.

On Thursday, the Cape Breton Regional Police Service confirmed the remains found were those of Justin MacDonald and his manner of death was a homicide.

Since his son's disappearance last year, MacDonald has been searching continuously and posting on social media asking the public for information that could lead to answers.

Justin MacDonald was last seen on July 7, 2024, around 11 p.m. local time at the Irving gas station in North Sydney, where he appeared on the store's security camera. His vehicle was found about 25 kilometres away in the Ormond Crescent area of Mira Road.

Police said in November they considered his case a homicide, though his remains had not been found. Three people were charged in the case the following month.

Ken MacDonald said his "emotions took over" when he found his son's remains, and he called police right away.

Investigators have been on the scene since Monday, and a drone could be seen flying over the area Tuesday. Police have asked the public to stay away from the area while they carry out their investigation.

MacDonald said his son's bracelet was later found at the site. It's a unique bracelet gifted from a good friend with one side reading, "Everything's Gonna Be Alright."

"So without their [police] verification, we know 100 per cent," he said.

MacDonald said stopping the search was never an option, despite snow and rain that threatened to hamper efforts. He said members of the community who volunteered to help were out looking every day, from one end of Cape Breton to the other, following up on every lead.

MacDonald said the family now has to wait to hear back from the medical examiner's officer to get the official identification of the remains. Once that comes, MacDonald said they will plan a funeral service.

Police said Wednesday in an email there was no further update.

The cases of the three people charged in connection with Justin MacDonald's death and disappearance remain before the court.

Aaron Curtis Mickey, 45, has been charged with second-degree murder, robbery and four firearm-related offences. His co-accused, Ryan Joseph Pike, also faces charges of second-degree murder and robbery.

A third accused, Mitchell George McPhee, 38, is charged with manslaughter in MacDonald's disappearance and with the robbery and assault of another man.

Ken MacDonald said Wednesday it's been "a long road" to get to this point, noting the past year has been full of "so many stories and so many rumours."

His son would have turned 35 this Saturday, he said.

"It's emotionally draining and it's happy to a point that we'll now be able to have a funeral. Before that, we never had that chance," he said.

"We're bringing him home, we are bringing him home."