Family of missing Cape Breton man hopeful their search is over

After nearly a year of scouring a wide swath of Cape Breton Regional Municipality, the family of Justin MacDonald is hopeful the search for the 34-year-old man is finally over.

MacDonald has been missing since July 2024 and police consider his case a homicide. Three people have been charged in the case.

His family members have been on the scene of a police investigation along a rural stretch of Morley Road since Monday, when possible human remains were found.

MacDonald's uncle, Gordon MacDonald, said the family is anxiously awaiting identification of the remains. 

"With this find, we're just hoping. We can't say anything definitive because of the forensic situation, but we're hopeful that it may be him," he said Tuesday at the investigation site about 20 kilometres south of Sydney.

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

He and his wife, Peggy, would not comment on the new investigation Tuesday, saying they'll wait for confirmation that their son has been found.

Police said they will not comment on the investigation until they can confirm an identity.

Gordon MacDonald said the months since his nephew's disappearance have been "like a horror show" that never ends.

"He's been somewhere," MacDonald said of his nephew. "Knowing that he's no longer with us and to still have to search has been probably one of the hardest situations a family ever would have to endure."

The family needs closure, he said.

"That's absolutely a necessity for the family, to be able to bring Justin home and take him to where he belongs and put him to rest."

Police and the medical examiner have asked the public to stay away from the site of the investigation. On Tuesday, a drone could be seen in the air. A search was also underway in the nearby woods, which was bordered with yellow police tape.

Investigators said earlier this year they were searching a wide area stretching from North Sydney to Irish Vale, N.S., for signs of Justin MacDonald.

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.

In December, police charged Mitchell George McPhee, 38, with manslaughter in MacDonald's disappearance and with the robbery and assault of another man.

Shortly after that, Ryan Joseph Pike, 36, was charged with second-degree murder and robbery, and on Dec. 31, Aaron Curtis Mickey, 45, was charged with second-degree murder, robbery and four firearm-related offences.

Their cases are still before the courts.

Gordon MacDonald said Tuesday the court process has been "excruciatingly painful" for the family.