The Cold Case Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division continues to investigate the homicide of Newton Harold Boutlier 50 years later.

On January 7, 1968, at 10:45 a.m., police responded to a death of an 81-year-old man at a residence on Highway 33 in French River. Upon arrival, police found the victim, Mr. Boutilier, deceased in his residence, which also served as a small general store, which he owned and operated. Police confirmed Mr. Boutlier was murdered at this location.

The investigation revealed the victim was unmarried and kept to himself. He usually opened his general store everyday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., except Sunday’s when the store was closed.

“We believe someone has information that could move the investigation forward,” says Sgt. Jared Harding, of the Cold Case Unit. “We encourage people to do the right thing and talk with police.”

This homicide has been added to the Nova Scotia Reward for Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which offers up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in certain cases. For more information on the rewards program, visit:https://novascotia.ca/just/Public_Safety/Rewards/.

Anyone with information regarding the person(s) responsible for the murder of Newton Harold Boutlier is asked to contact the Cold Case Unit of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division at (902) 490-5333. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you can also contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or text TIP202 + your message to ‘CRIMES’ (274637) or submit tips by Secure Web Tips atwww.crimestoppers.ns.ca. Calls to Crime Stoppers are not taped or traced and if police make an arrest and lay charges based on a tip, callers qualify for a cash award. 

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Source: Media Release