Body of missing Halifax teen Devon Marsman found, 2 men facing charges

Halifax police say two people have been charged in the death of a 16-year-old Halifax boy who went missing more than two years ago — and more arrests are expected.

Devon Sinclair Marsman was last seen on Feb. 24, 2022, in the Spryfield area of Halifax, and was reported missing on March 4, 2022.

In a news release Tuesday, Halifax Regional Police said his body has been found and is with the Medical Examiner's Office for official identification. Marsman's death is now considered a homicide.

On Monday afternoon, police arrested Treyton Alexander Marsman, 26. He is charged with second-degree murder, indignity to human remains and obstruction of justice.

The second accused, a 20-year-old man, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder and obstructing justice. He cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because he was a youth at the time of the homicide.

The two men were expected to make court appearances Tuesday.

Treyton Marsman did not show emotion as he was escorted into Halifax provincial court by court sheriffs. He's being held in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 16.

During a press conference Tuesday, Halifax Regional Police Chief Don MacLean thanked Devon Marsman's loved ones and the public for their patience during the "lengthy and complex" investigation.

"It is difficult with any member of our community, but when that missing person is a child, it is even more traumatic," said MacLean. "I promise you, our efforts to find out what happened to Devon have never wavered."

MacLean said more arrests were expected in the case.

"We also believe there are people who have important information who have not yet spoken to police and it is never too late to come forward," he said.

"This is a sad day for our community, and while it is a positive step forward in the investigation, we know nothing can replace the loss of a loved one." 

MacLean confirmed there is a "familial relationship" between Devon Marsman and Treyton Marsman, but would not elaborate.

Police would not say where Devon Marsman's remains were found or what investigators believe was the motive for the killing.

Cash reward offered in case

Marsman's family marked his 18th birthday last October with a rally calling on police to do more to find out what happened to the young man.

"My every thought of every day is Devon. Like, everything is Devon," Theresa Gray, Marsman's mother, told CBC News last year.

Gray travelled across Nova Scotia putting up flyers about her son's disappearance. Other friends and family in Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver had plastered posters around those cities as well.

Police initially said there was no indication to suggest Marsman met with foul play. But nearly eight months later, police said publicly they considered Marsman's disappearance suspicious.

In November 2022, Nova Scotia's Department of Justice offered up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for the teenager's disappearance. In April, the reward was increased to $250,000. 

Anyone with information about the homicide is asked to call police at 902-490-5020.