On September 13, the Nova Scotia RCMP announced a Murder charge in relation to the disappearance of Esther Jones.
The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit has charged Dale Allen Toole, a 54-year-old Tremont, Annapolis County, man with First Degree Murder.
Ms. Jones' remains have not yet been located and the investigation continues. The Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit is asking anyone who has information that may help with the continuing investigation to contact them at 902-825-2000.
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.
File #: 2024-1287809
Statement from the Officer in Charge, Major Crime and Behavioural Sciences Group, Nova Scotia RCMP
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Good afternoon. Before I begin, I would like to take a moment to recognize Ms. Jones' family and loved ones.
I cannot begin to know how difficult the last weeks have been for you. Thank you for your strength and cooperation with investigators as they've worked diligently to collect the information necessary to make an arrest and lay charges.
As many of you know, Annapolis District RCMP began a missing persons investigation on September 2 when Ms. Jones was reported missing to police. She was last seen August 31 at the Kingston Bible College in Greenwood.
On September 4, officers located Ms. Jones' vehicle, a silver 2009 Volkswagen Passat, abandoned in Greenwood. It was at that time that the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit assumed lead of the investigation.
On September 11, the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit charged fifty-four-year-old Dale Allen Toole of Tremont, Annapolis County, with first degree murder in relation to Ms. Jones' disappearance.
With assistance of multiple RCMP units, including Forensic Identification Services, Police Dog Services, and the Tactical Support Group, along with members of Kings and Annapolis Districts, and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service, investigators executed a number of search warrants at locations in and around Annapolis County, Kingston and Greenwood. The largest of which was in South Tremont. Additionally, investigators acted on all tips and information from Jones' family and the community.
Through the course of the investigation, officers gathered numerous pieces of evidence and information, and were able to identify the suspect, Dale Toole.
Working with our partners, the United States Homeland Security Investigations, the RCMP's liaison officers in the United States and Mexico, and United States Customs and Border Protection, we tracked Toole's movements, leading to him being detained by United States authorities in Texas.
He was deported back to Canada, arriving in Toronto yesterday, where he was arrested for first degree murder. He will remain in custody and be escorted back to Nova Scotia by our team.
I am immensely proud of the diligent work of the investigative team. The exceptional work they've done since September 2 to make an arrest and hold someone accountable for Ms. Jones' death is remarkable, and their work continues.
Ms. Jones' remains have not yet been located, and though this file is now before the court, our investigational work has not concluded.
I don't intend to speak for Ms. Jones' family, but I know that finding Ms. Jones' remains will help answer some of the outstanding questions that investigators and her family have, and aid in their healing journey.
Thank you.