The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit has charged a man with Murder (second degree).
On January 11, at approximately 3 a.m., Kings District RCMP, Kentville Volunteer Fire Department, and EHS, responded to a report of a structure fire on Anthony Ave. in Centreville. Upon arrival, first responders observed that a home was engulfed in flames and fire crews were able to extinguish the fire. Six people were able to escape the home safely prior to the arrival of first responders and none were injured.
During the course of the investigation, a 22-year-old woman was located deceased inside the home. From the initial information and evidence gathered, investigators believed that both the death and the fire were suspicious in nature. The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit (MCU) took carriage of the investigation and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner's Office determined that the woman's death was the result of homicide. The woman's death was the result of intimate partner violence.
On January 11, at approximately 12 p.m., at the request of Southwest Nova RCMP MCU, Annapolis District RCMP located and arrested a 28-year-old man on Hwy. 8 near Lequille. The man was transported to the Bridgetown RCMP Detachment and was later transferred to the New Minas RCMP Detachment, where he remained in custody overnight.
On January 12, Justin Joseph Benjamin, of Centreville, was charged with Murder and Arson with Disregard to Human Life. Benjamin has been remanded into custody and will appear in Kentville Provincial Court at 9:30 a.m. on January 13.
The investigation is continuing and is being assisted by Kings District RCMP, Annapolis District RCMP, the Kentville Police Service, the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, RCMP Police Dog Services, RCMP Forensic Identification Services, the Office of the Fire Marshal, and the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.
We encourage anyone experiencing, or at risk of, intimate partner violence to reach out. Support is available across Nova Scotia and can be accessed by dialing 211, calling the provincial toll-free line at 1-855-225-0220, or visiting Nova Scotia 211 online. You can access support anonymously.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 902-679-5555. 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.
Our thoughts continue to remain with the victim's loved ones, and the community, at this difficult time.