News release

Cape Breton Homicide Case Added to Rewards Program

Justice

The Province is offering a reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the homicide of Deborah Ann Hutchinson.

Ms. Hutchison, then 59 years old, was last seen on video surveillance making a purchase at a drive-thru in the Sydney area on April 15, 2017. Cape Breton Regional Police started a missing persons investigation two days later and are now treating the case as a homicide.

Investigators believe there are people who have information that has not been shared with police that could result in arrests and possible charges.

“We hope by adding Ms. Hutchinson to the rewards program we will receive new information that could help solve this case,” said Brad Johns, Attorney General and Minister of Justice. “I urge anyone who has information on Ms. Hutchinson’s death to please come forward.”

Anyone with information regarding this crime should call the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program at 1-888-710-9090. People with information who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Nova Scotia at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Quick Facts:

  • the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program is an additional tool to help police gather information on unsolved crimes
  • the reward is payable in Canadian funds and will be allocated as deemed just by the Minister of Justice for the Province of Nova Scotia
  • including this case, there are now 115 active cases in the program
  • five cash awards have been paid out since the program started in 2006
  • employees of law enforcement and correctional agencies are not eligible to collect this reward

Additional Resources:

A photo of Ms. Hutchinson and details about the case are available at: https://novascotia.ca/just/Public_Safety/Rewards/case_detail_deborah_hutchinson.asp

Other cases under the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program are listed at: https://novascotia.ca/just/Public_Safety/Rewards/

Follow Us