Mother of Devon Marsman says she will keep pushing for justice in wake of arrests

The mother of Devon Marsman says she's pleased with the recent arrests in his homicide, following an agonizing 2½ years during which she organized rallies and plastered posters about her son's disappearance across Nova Scotia.

Theresa Gray made the comments Thursday outside a Halifax courtroom where Emma Maria Meta Casey, one of three people charged in relation to the 16-year-old's death, appeared in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

"I said from Day 1, I wasn't going to stop till they either made arrests or they find my son," Gray said in an interview. "So I wasn't stopping. And I'll continue to be Devon's advocate and make sure that justice is done."

Casey, 23, is charged with accessory after the fact to murder, indignity to human remains and obstructing justice. She was released on bail Thursday with the consent of the Crown prosecutor in the case. Casey must abide by a curfew and has two sureties.

Halifax police said at a news conference two weeks ago that Devon's remains have been found, but would not indicate where. Gray said she doesn't know, but has been told the location is not one of the places she searched as she tried to find out what happened to her son.

The medical examiner, she said, still has her son's body as one of the tests is taking longer than anticipated.

"I don't have Devon back yet," she said.

Gray has criticized police for not launching an investigation sooner. Devon, who lived in the Halifax community of Spryfield, was reported missing on March 4, 2022.

Police at the time said there was no indication of foul play, but nearly eight months later announced they considered his disappearance "suspicious."

Last month, police charged Treyton Alexander Marsman, a 26-year-old who is related to Devon, with second-degree murder, indignity to human remains and obstruction of justice. He is in custody.

A 20-year-old who was a youth at the time of Devon's disappearance and whose name is banned from publication is charged with accessory after the fact to murder and obstructing justice.

Casey was arrested last week and charged.

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 Devon's disappearance. In April, the reward was increased to $250,000.