Devon Marsman's mother says she may never have closure as celebration of life held for teen

To Theresa Gray, celebrating the beingness of her 16-year-old son, Devon Sinclair Marsman, made her "feel the love" of her community. But she says it doesn't consciousness similar closure.

Marsman was past seen on Feb. 24, 2022, successful the Spryfield country of Halifax, and was reported missing the pursuing week. The teen's remains were recovered past fall. 

Five people have been charged successful transportation with his disappearance and killing.

"I'm not definite if I'm ever going to person closure," Gray said Sunday successful an interrogation astatine a religion hall where a solemnisation of beingness was held for her son.

"Even aft the trials and immoderate happens successful the trials, I don't get my lad back."

Family, friends and members of the assemblage gathered astatine Saint Agnes Church hall to retrieve Marsman, who was described successful his obituary arsenic idiosyncratic who "loved to propulsion pranks and ever had the astir contagious laugh."

The gathering was a premix of happiness and sadness, said Gray, with radical crying, sharing comic anecdotes, and calling for justice. Many wore customized shirts bearing Marsman's face and age. 

Dressed successful achromatic and wearing pins with his representation were galore of Marsman's adjacent friends.

Gage Mamye recalled his puerility person as "a benignant soul" who was similar a brother. Mamye said the solemnisation of beingness was an important measurement successful helping Marsman's friends determination forward.

"Everybody was a small spot of a messiness erstwhile we were looking for him. So present that he's yet backmost location with his parents, it's a spot of alleviation to beryllium capable to observe him that way," helium said successful an interview.

At the extremity of the ceremony, Mamye and different friends and household released 16 white pigeons, representing the 16 years Marsman lived. 

Police initially stated determination was nary denotation of foul play aft Marsman went missing, but 8 months aft his disappearance, they said the case was suspicious.

Treyton Alexander Marsman, 26, was charged past twelvemonth with second-degree murder, indignity to quality remains and obstruction of justice. Police previously confirmed there is simply a "familial relationship" betwixt Devon Marsman and Treyton Marsman, but would not elaborate.

A 20-year-old antheral is facing charges of accessory aft the information to execution and obstructing justice. He cannot beryllium named nether the Youth Criminal Justice Act because helium was a younker astatine the clip of the alleged offences.

Emma Maria Meta Casey, 23, is facing charges of accessory aft the information to murder, indignity to quality remains and obstructing justice.

Chelsey Herritt, 26, has been charged with accessory aft the information to execution and indignity to quality remains.

A 5th accused, 40-year-old Mark Douglas Robert Doyle, was charged successful March with accessory aft the information to murder.

Police person not said wherever Devon Marsman's remains were found, citing ongoing tribunal proceedings.

His parent said the hold for answers has been frustrating, and she hopes justness volition beryllium served. In the meantime, Gray said she is appreciative of the enactment her household has received.

"I knew that the result of emotion would beryllium present today," she said Sunday. "Devon has a Facebook leafage with adjacent to 8,000 people, and the radical that shared his sanction and shared his communicative implicit 3 years was astonishing from the beginning."