‘We need answers’: Family of N.S. homicide victim makes public plea in new video

The family of a homicide victim is pleading for answers in a new video released Monday by the Nova Scotia RCMP.

“Donny was a wonderful son,” said the victim’s mother, Jeanne Rhodenizer, in the video. “He was so loving and everybody loved him.”

According to police, 57-year-old Donald (Donny) Derrick Lohnes took an acquaintance into Bridgewater, N.S., and dropped them off on Oct. 25, 2020.

When he returned to his home on Jippie Avenue in Pine Grove, N.S., around 3 p.m., police said he was attacked by three men and lost consciousness.

“When he regained consciousness, he found himself on the front yard of his home and his dog was outside,” said Cpl. Chris Marshall of the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit in the video.

“Donny suffered serious injuries during the assault and ultimately elected not to report the assault to police nor did he seek any medical treatment.”

Lohnes died from his injuries on Nov. 1. His death was ruled a homicide.

A few days before his death, Rhodenizer said she received a call from one of her son’s friends letting her know Lohnes had been assaulted but had still gone to work at the Elmer Lohnes lumber mill.

“So, I didn’t call him because he was at work … so I didn’t bother him, but then the day it happened she called and she said, ‘You better get to the hospital,’ she said, ‘We just took Donny,‘” she recalled.

“When they took us in to see him … I almost fainted.”

His brother, Danny Lohnes, also rushed to the hospital.

“Walking into the hospital and see the shape that he was in, that’s the memory, and it’s reminded when I see friends of his,” said Danny Lohnes.

“He was a kind and giving person and all his friends and family know that and unfortunately that was taken away.”

The case has never been solved but the investigation is ongoing. The RCMP said police interviewed more than 125 people, examined four crime scenes and several electronic devices, and sent some exhibits to the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory.

“We believe Donny was targeted by his attackers and that those responsible for his death thought he was involved in a dispute he wasn’t connected to,” said Marshall.

Police installed a sign outside the Cookville RCMP detachment in December 2024, appealing for information from the public.

“The sign generated new tips that brought us closer to finding out who’s responsible for Donny’s death. This video is another tool we’re using in an effort to solve his homicide,” said Marshall.

“Someone knows something; we hope that someone will come forward after seeing the pain Donny’s mom and brother are living with; we want to help bring them answers.”

Lohnes’s mother is also hopeful her public plea will push someone to reach out to police with new information.

“Please, please come forward because we need answers and we’re hoping and praying that somebody out there smartens up and says, well, maybe we can help solve this case.”

Lohnes’s homicide has been added to the Nova Scotia Reward for Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which offers up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in certain cases. The provincial reward line is 1-888-710-9090.

Anyone with information about Lohnes’s death is asked to call the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-365-3120 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page