Remains of Esther Jones recovered two years after homicide

Police in Nova Scotia say the remains of Esther Jones, who was the victim of a homicide, have been recovered two years after her death.

Dale Allen Toole, 56, was initially charged with first-degree murder in her death, but her body had never been found. Earlier this month, Toole pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of second-degree murder.

RCMP say the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit located the remains in a wooded area in Cloud Lake, south of Greenwood, N.S., on Sept. 9.

The Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service has since confirmed they belong to Jones, RCMP added.

1:52 Esther Jones’ family speak out at first court appearance of man charged in death

The 55-year-old music teacher was reported missing from Torbrook, N.S., in Annapolis County, on Sept. 2, 2024, and was last seen at the Kingston Bible College in Greenwood two days earlier.

On Sept. 13, 2024, RCMP revealed that their investigation into Jones’ disappearance had identified enough information to lay a charge of first-degree murder against Toole.

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Toole had been detained by American authorities at the Houston airport, just before attempting to board a plane to Mexico. He was returned to Canada and arrested upon arrival in Toronto.

‘Doesn’t fix what happened’

Esther Uhlman, Jones’ niece who was named after her, says the fact that her aunt’s remains have been found offers a “bit of relief” for the family.

“But it doesn’t fix what happened,” she said.

“I don’t think that it brings closure because it doesn’t change the fact that she was murdered and it doesn’t change the fact that we have to think about making sure that the individual that killed her stays in jail for the rest of our lives.”

Second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence, with parole ineligibility set between 10 and 25 years.

Toole has not been sentenced and is set to return to court Oct. 16.

Uhlman says she found the news that Toole’s plea to a lesser charge had been accepted “disappointing and quite upsetting.”

“I know it’s called a life sentence, but when there’s parole eligibility — even the possibility of it — it doesn’t feel like a life sentence as the loved one of someone who was murdered,” she said.

She adds she wants her aunt to be remembered for being a kind person who was passionate about her faith, loved animals, and had a real musical talent.

“She had a real heart for people that were kind of outcasts. She would see someone that was struggling and she just had a heart for them that a lot of people wouldn’t have had,” said Uhlman.

“She knew what it was like to struggle and she always wanted to make sure that other people felt cared for.”

Cpl. Mike Robinson, a spokesperson for the major crime unit, said investigators hope the recovery will bring a sense of closure.

“The dedication and perseverance of the investigative team, together with the support of our policing partners, were instrumental in advancing this investigation,” he said in a news release.

“We’re grateful to Esther’s family and the community for their support throughout the investigation and court process. We hope this recovery provides answers to outstanding questions and helps bring a measure of closure and healing to those closest to Esther.”

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