**** RCMP Media Release
UPDATE: Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime charge two more people in fatal house fire
Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime has charged two more people 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 and charged Dillon Burton Deveau, 30, of North Chegoggin with First Degree Murder. Deveau has been in custody since that time.
On May 24, Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime arrested Michael Roland Surette, 41, of Pinkney’s Point, in Dartmouth. RCMP officers also arrested Brooklyn Gavel, 20, of Pinkney’s Point, in Middleton. Both Surette and Gavel were charged with First Degree Murder and appeared in Yarmouth Provincial Court.
Gavel was remanded into custody and will return to Yarmouth Provincial Court on June 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Surette was remanded into custody and will return to Yarmouth Provincial Court on June 28 at 9:30 a.m.
The investigation is continuing.
