Cape Breton family relieved after police lay manslaughter charge in case of missing man

The family of a Cape Breton man who's been missing since the summer say they're relieved now that police have a manslaughter suspect in custody and are promising more arrests to come.

Kenneth Justin MacDonald, who goes by Justin, went missing in July. Cape Breton Regional Police labelled the case a homicide last month.

On Friday, police arrested Mitchell George McPhee and charged him with manslaughter in MacDonald's disappearance.

According to court documents, they also charged him with robbery and assault on a different man.

MacDonald's father, Ken, welcomed the development.

He said family members are "emotionally drained" but "mostly good because we finally got some news of what's been going on and … there's finally somebody charged."

WATCH | Cape Breton family relieved after police lay manslaughter charge in case of missing man:

Man charged with manslaughter in case of missing Cape Bretoner

7 days ago

Duration 1:32

The family of a Cape Breton man who has been missing since the summer say they're relieved now that police have arrested a man and charged him with manslaughter. As Kyle Moore reports, police are promising even more arrests in the death of Justin MacDonald.

MacDonald said police are doing the best they can.

"I wish it was faster, but I know they're working hard and I know they're moving forward," he said.

Spokesperson Desiree Magnus said police are not releasing any other details at the moment because the investigation is ongoing and more arrests and charges are pending.

MacDonald's mother, Peggy, said she's confident police will get to the bottom of it, but the wait for justice is taking a toll.

"It's not easy until we get them all and we get Justin home," she said.

According to court documents, the charges against McPhee are related to alleged incidents on July 8.

MacDonald was last seen at the Irving gas station in North Sydney around 11 p.m. on July 7, where he appeared on the store's security camera.

Police later found his vehicle about 25 kilometres away in the Ormond Crescent area of Mira Road.

MacDonald's family and friends have continued to search for clues to his disappearance, but his body has not been found.

McPhee remains in custody and will be in court Monday.

Police and the family are asking anyone with information to call regional police at 902-563-5151.