**** RCMP Media Release
UPDATE: Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime charges man in fatal house fire
Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime has charged a man with murder in relation to a fatal house fire in Pinkney’s Point.
On March 17, 2022, shortly after 2 a.m., Yarmouth Rural RCMP and fire responded to a house fire on Melbourne Rd. in Pinkney’s Point. When RCMP officers arrived at the scene, the home was fully engulfed in flames. After the fire was extinguished, human remains were located inside the home. The remains were determined to be those of Joseph Wickens, 43, of Stoney Island.
The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit took over the investigation and has continued to gather information and evidence over the last 6 weeks. The investigation has been assisted by RCMP Forensic Identification Services, Yarmouth Rural RCMP, Yarmouth RCMP General Investigation Section, Yarmouth/Clare Street Crime Enforcement Unit, Yarmouth Volunteer Fire Department, St. Thomas University’s Anthropology Department, the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner’s Office and the Nova Scotia Fire Marshal’s Office.
On April 27, Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime arrested a man in Yarmouth in relation to this investigation. The man was transported to the Yarmouth Rural RCMP Detachment where he was held in custody.
Dillon Burton Deveau, 30, of North Chegoggin, has been charged with First Degree Murder. Deveau was remanded into custody and will appear in Yarmouth Provincial Court today.
The investigation is continuing.
