Dartmouth Death Ruled Homicide, Victim Identified as Defendant in Sexual Assault Case – Halifax | The Canadian News

A suspicious death in a Dartmouth neighborhood this weekend has been declared a homicide and the victim has been identified as a defendant in a high-profile sexual assault case.

Police were called to a residence in Braeside Court on Saturday, where they found the deceased victim.

The man has been identified as Alexander Joseph Frederick Thomas, 35, of East Preston.

His death was ruled a homicide after an overnight autopsy by the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.

Police were still on the scene Sunday, where several houses and vehicles were boarded up. The Halifax Regional Police said the investigation is led by the Special Investigations Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division.

Police have not released further details about the killing.

On Sunday afternoon, the Elizabeth Fry Society of Nova Scotia confirmed that Thomas is the defendant in a high-profile sexual assault case and that he was awaiting trial.

In February, a then 33-year-old was charged with sexual assault and forcible confinement in connection with an incident in 2018.

Carrie Low, who identified herself as the plaintiff in that case, had been outspoken about the incident and how she said the Halifax Regional Police mishandled the case. The Nova Scotia Complaints Commissioner initially rejected his complaint because it was beyond the time limit for filing a complaint, but that decision was later overturned by judicial review.

Emma Halpern, executive director of the Elizabeth Fry Society of Nova Scotia and a member of Low’s legal team, said in a statement Sunday that Low was still processing the news.

Carrie is shocked by the news of Alexander Thomas’ passing. His condolences go out to his family and community, ”said Halpern.

“You are also concerned about the impact this may have on your quest for justice in your case. Carrie and her legal team are still processing this shocking news and will determine the way forward in the coming days. “