Investigators have charged Richard George Willis, 62, of Truro, with first degree murder (update via HRP) and break and enter in relation to the homicide of Eleanor Noreen Harding, 85, who was found deceased in her Dartmouth home earlier this month.

At approximately 11:12 a.m. on July 11, police responded to a report of a woman found deceased in a residence on Lynwood Drive. Information gathered during the investigation led investigators to believe Eleanor’s death was suspicious. The Medical Examiner completed an autopsy and her death was ruled a homicide.

Willis was arrested in Dartmouth on July 30 and is scheduled to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court at a later date.

To further the investigation, investigators are seeking to identify anyone who may have picked up someone hitch-hiking between Dartmouth and Truro between 2 a.m. and noon on July 10.

Anyone with information about Eleanor’s homicide is asked to contact police by calling 902-490-5020. Anonymous tips can be sent to Crime Stoppers by calling toll-free 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca or using the P3 Tips App.

Our thoughts are with Eleanor’s family and loved ones at this difficult time and we hope that the charges laid today bring them some measure of comfort.