Third suspect arrested, charged in case of missing Cape Breton man

Police in Cape Breton have charged a third person in the disappearance of a 36-year-old man whose case has been ruled a homicide.

In a news release Tuesday, police announced that Aaron Curtis Mickey, 45, has been charged with second-degree murder, robbery and four firearm-related offences.

Kenneth Justin MacDonald, who goes by Justin, was last seen in July. Cape Breton police labelled the case a homicide in November.

Mickey was arrested on Tuesday near Sydney, N.S., and has been remanded to the Cape Breton Correctional Facility, the release says.

This comes about a week and a half after Ryan Joseph Pike was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and robbery in the case.

Earlier in December, Mitchell George McPhee was arrested and charged with manslaughter.

'Long process' for family

MacDonald's father, Ken, said the family is glad that more charges are being brought. 

He said he faces a "long process" of court dates and grief, but added that community support has helped him make it through these hard times. 

"When we go to court, there's probably 30 to 50 people that actually show up to support us," he said. "That's their families that show up, their friends that show up and those that have become family through this journey."

MacDonald said he is going to court on Thursday morning for the first appearance. 

Disappearance

Kenneth Justin MacDonald was last seen on July 7 around 11 p.m. local time at the Irving gas station in North Sydney, N.S., 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.

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

"Our goal is to find our son," said Ken MacDonald. "You don't have closure until you bring him home."

Authorities are asking anyone with information to call police.