Taylor Samson's mother pleads for help finding Dalhousie student's body
'All I have is memories, I don't even have him to hold,' Linda Boutilier says
The mother of a Dalhousie University student who was killed earlier this year is pleading for help to find her son's missing body.
Taylor Samson, a 22-year-old former resident of Amherst, N.S., and a physics student at the Halifax university, was reported missing on Aug. 16. Four days later, fellow Dalhousie University student William Sandeson was charged with first-degree murder in Samson's death.
Samson's body has not been found.
Linda Boutilier, his mother, made an emotional plea as she left Sandeson's bail hearing in the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia on Thursday.
"If his parents have a heart, they should go to him and ask where my son is. If his lawyer has a heart, go to him and ask where my son is," she told reporters.
"I want the question answered — where is my son?"
Police have searched a property in Lower Truro — part of which belongs to Sandeson's family — in connection with the case.
When the search began in August, officers said they had to comb a massive area that included a marsh, hills, cornfield and a pond.
More than eight search teams took part, and an RCMP underwater recovery unit searched the pond. Police found some evidence — but not Samson's body.
'Numb, disgusted'
Boutilier said the only thing she wants is to bring her son home and provide him with a proper burial.
"I want somebody to help me find my son. I want my son home. If I have to bury him, I have to bury him. All I have is memories, I don't even have him to hold," Boutilier said as she began to cry.
Police are trying to pinpoint an area where her son's body might be, she said.
"They have no idea where Taylor could be and they're just hoping somebody comes forward with some more information," she said.
Sandeson's two-day bail hearing was adjourned on Thursday afternoon and the judge is expected to present his decision on Friday afternoon. The details of the hearing cannot be reported because of a publication ban.
The 23-year-old man has not yet entered a plea.
Boutilier said that what she has heard in court so far has disturbed her.
"Sort of numb, disgusted. His parents get to see him; they get phone calls, I get nothing."