2021-03-03

Police seek help solving Pine Grove man’s murder

Donald Derrick "Donny" Lohnes was murdered, attacked near his Lunenburg County home in October, RCMP said in newly released details. Police also are looking into a separate altercation earlier in the day that may be linked to the 57-year-old's death.

Anyone who may know anything about - but not necessarily witnessed - an October 25, 2020 dispute "involving a group of people" near the Dufferin Street Honda dealership in Bridgewater between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. is asked to get in touch with authorities.

The RCMP issued a public statement February 23 asking for help with the unsolved murder investigation.

In November, law enforcement said Lohnes sustained life-threatening injuries at a Jippie Avenue home in Pine Grove. Property records indicate Lohnes owns Jippie Avenue property at the end of the dead-end strip. Five days after the Pine Grove man was hurt - on October 30 - authorities were summoned to a local hospital after being told about his injuries. A day later, Lohnes, a father of two sons, died at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, and law enforcement described the circumstances as "suspicious." In December, RCMP confirmed the death of the long-time lumber mill worker was caused by a criminal act, ruling it a homicide.

There have been no arrests in relation to the case, Cpl Mark Skinner, a spokesman for the province's RCMP, told LighthouseNOW, but Mounties note "multiple witnesses" have been interviewed. Police declined to reveal the number of witnesses.

Whether Lohnes was attacked by more than one person October 25, 2020, knew the assailant or assailants, or if the incident involved a weapon, is all part of the investigation and can't be disclosed, Skinner said.

Lohnes was not present among the group of people said to be involved in the Bridgewater dispute earlier in the day, Skinner confirmed.

Lohnes was remembered as a kind son, caring brother and an incredible father during a graveside service November 8 in his home community.

He also loved the Boston Bruins NHL hockey franchise, and idolized No. 4 Bobby Orr, according to a published obituary. He also had a life-long celebrity crush on Canadian country music superstar Shania Twain. Lohnes battled inflammatory bowel disease, and donations to Crohn's and Colitis research were requested in his memory, or a charity of choice.

A fundraising campaign to help cover the cost of his funeral brought in more than $6,000 in a seven-day-period. The online fundraising page indicated the $1,415 raised above-and-beyond the goal would go to Lohnes's sons, Devon and Merek.

Anyone with information concerning the Lohnes case is asked to contact RCMP or Crime Stoppers.