Police issue update in 1992 disappearance of Kenley Matheson

Police in Nova Scotia have conducted a site visit at a location on Melanson Mountain in relation to the 1992 disappearance of Acadia University student Kenley Matheson.

Police in Nova Scotia have conducted a site visit at a location on Melanson Mountain in relation to the 1992 disappearance of Acadia University student Kenley Matheson.

The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit made the update to the case public on Friday after a search of Melanson Mountain. The Major Crime Unit was joined by:

“Based on the information obtained, the RCMP and our partners are making plans with regard to the best and most effective way to process the site both thoroughly, and safely,” investigators said in a statement.

Investigators say a September 2022 plea for information from the public did not result in any new information coming forward.

But on May 29, 2023, investigators received a call from a journalist hoping to schedule a meeting regarding the investigation. Police say investigators learned the journalist had taken part in a search on May 23 and 24 on Melanson Mountain. According to the journalist, a cadaver dog was brought in to assist the search.

“The dog indicated an area of interest,” RCMP said in a statement, “however, no human remains were located.”

On June 13, investigators met with the cadaver dog team and visited the site on Melanson Mountain. Officers say the area is on “very steep terrain” and safety precautions would be required for any search or excavation efforts.