Death of man in Dartmouth encampment ruled a homicide

CBC

25-06-2025

The death of a 56-year-old man at a Dartmouth encampment last year has been ruled a homicide by the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service.
According to a news release, Halifax Regional Police responded to a report on Dec. 22, 2024, that a man had been assaulted by a woman at an encampment on Geary Street.
The man declined medical assistance and did not want a police investigation, the release said.
Four days later, police were called back to the encampment where the same man was found dead in a tent.
He was identified as Jeffrey Alexander Emmersen.
The release said the investigation is ongoing.
Assault suspect
Police described the woman involved in the assault as white, 20 to 25 years old, four feet 11 inches, of medium build with shoulder-length dark hair.
She was last seen wearing a blue jacket and red sweatpants.
Emmersen was the third man in his 50s to be found dead outside in Nova Scotia in a month.
William Walsh was discovered outside a fishing tent in Windsor, N.S., on Nov. 26, 2024, and Bobby Hiltz died in a park called Miner's Marsh in Kentville, N.S., a week later.
Encampment closed
In a separate news release Wednesday, the Halifax Regional Municipality said it has officially closed the Geary Street encampment, where several individuals had been sheltering.
According to the release, in recent months the site had the lowest usage of all designated locations in the municipality.
The closure follows a May 28 notice giving occupants until June 22 to relocate.
The release said municipal and provincial staff provided support and transportation to alternative indoor shelters or designated outdoor sites.
The site has been vacated and fencing is being installed, the release said.
The area is now being inspected and a plan will be developed for remediation.