UPDATE: RCMP charge two people in homicide of Andrew Carter Morris

February 23, 2023
Eskasoni First Nation, Nova Scotia

News release

Images

The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit has charged two people in the 2021 homicide of Andrew Carter Morris.

On August 9, 2021, at approximately 5:45 a.m., Eskasoni RCMP responded to a report of a sudden death on Beach Rd. in Eskasoni. Police found a 30-year-old Eskasoni man deceased and his death was ruled a homicide.

Over the last 18 months, the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, with assistance from the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner's Office, RCMP Forensic Identification Services and the Eskasoni RCMP, have collected evidence and released public pleas for information.

On February 22, 2023, as a result of investigators continued efforts, members of the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, with assistance from the Nova Scotia RCMP Emergency Response Team, attended a home on 74th St. in Eskasoni, where a woman was safely arrested and, after nearly four hours, a man was also safely arrested. Both were held in custody overnight.

Kurt Daniel Gould, 33, and Scentina Marie Michael, 34, both of Eskasoni First Nation, have been charged with First Degree Murder and Armed Robbery (2 counts). Both have been remanded into custody.

Michael will appear in Sydney Provincial Court on February 27, 2023, while Gould will appear on March 16, 2023.

The investigation remains ongoing.

During the arrests of Gould and Michael, the home on 74th St. caught fire. The investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing and is being investigated by the Eskasoni RCMP, while a separate and independent investigation is being completed by the Nova Scotia Fire Marshal's Office.

This incident has led to much grief in and within the community of Eskasoni and the announcement of these charges may be difficult for some. The following supports are available to those in need:

  • Eskasoni Mental Health – 902-379-2099
  • Mi'kmaq Legal Support Network (MLSN) Victim Services – 902-379-2042;
  • The Hope for Wellness Line – both telephone and chat services – 1-855-242-3310

Quote

"Members of the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit have worked tirelessly to solve what happened to Carter and kept in constant contact with his family. It is our hope that with the charges that have been laid today, that Carter's family, and the entire community of Eskasoni, feel some sense of closure. We would also like to thank Carter's family and friends for their tremendous support of the investigation and community members who came forward to provide crucial information and evidence" says Insp. Murray Marcichiw, Officer in Charge of Major Crime and Behavioural Sciences Group.

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Contact information

Cpl. Chris Marshall
Public Information Officer
Nova Scotia RCMP
rcmpns-grcne@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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