The Barra MacNeils

Over 36 years making music and touring.Cape Bretoners, siblings, touring musicians. We’re still at it…🎶

[Centennial Concert Hall @Concert_Hall]

Just Announced📢 The Barra MacNeils: An East Coast Christmas live in Winnipeg on Sunday, Dec 1, tickets on sale Friday at https://t.co/sVtVcC7VKW @BarraMacNeils

[Missing Kenley @MissingKenley]

The Globe & Mail just published this story on the search: https://t.co/0tT3i7DTtR

RCMP to conduct search for remains of Nova Scotia man missing for over 30 years

by Lindsay Jones

RCMP and a team of experts assembled Friday at a remote wooded area near Wolfville, N.S., to co-ordinate a search in connection with an Acadia University student who mysteriously disappeared more than 30 years ago. Kenley Matheson went missing a few weeks after starting his first year of university in September, 1992, and hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

This spring, The Globe and Mail commissioned a two-day search by an International Police Work Dog Association certified dog and his handlers, Cathy and Doug Teeft. Their dog, a four-year-old German shepherd named Rifle, is trained to track cadaver scents. On May 24, under the guidance of his handlers, Rifle “indicated” or showed an expression of interest, a clue that could be a sign of human remains nearby, said Mr. Teeft, a member of the Nova Scotia K9 Rescue Team, a local ground search and rescue group, who volunteered to search the area upon request from The Globe.

The search was also attended by Ron Lamothe whose docuseries, Missing Kenley, includes interviews from witnesses who pinpointed the area as a location where Mr. Matheson’s remains might be found.

After Mr. Teeft wrote his report, The Globe shared it with RCMP Corporal Benjamin Kershaw and alerted the force’s commissioner, Mike Duheme, in Ottawa.

The area where Rifle showed interest for human remains is on a steep embankment near a ravine that locals refer to as the “bear caves.”

Along with Mr. Teeft, the Mounties’ Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit, and members from Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service Office, St. Thomas University’s anthropology department and Acadia University’s earth and environmental science department visited the site on Melanson Mountain near Wolfville on Friday.

“Based on the information obtained, the RCMP and our partners are making plans with regard to the best and most effective way to process the site both thoroughly and safely,” RCMP Corporal Chris Marshall said in a press release.

This week, the RCMP sent some members of the public a letter, signed by Nova Scotia RCMP Commanding Officer Dennis Daley, saying police were planning to complete a search of the area as soon as possible. “Our goal is to bring Kenley home to his family,” he wrote.

Mr. Matheson’s relatives are encouraged by the new information. “The ultimate goal for me is just to be able to find Kenley’s remains and put him to rest,” Mr. Matheson’s sister, Kayrene Matheson, said in an interview. “We’re just very, very hopeful that he will be found.”

Ms. Matheson recently launched the Bring Kenley Home mission, a walking challenge to raise awareness about the memory of her beloved brother.

RCMP have said that during Mr. Matheson’s first two weeks of university, the 20-year-old travelled with friends to Corkums Island in Lunenburg County for the weekend. He returned to Acadia and attended a campus party on Sept. 18, 1992, where he was seen by his sister and others at Crowell Tower on Sept. 20.

Mr. Matheson was last spotted by a friend walking on Main Street in Wolfville the next day, wearing blue jeans, a purple T-shirt, a red-and-black backpack and a ball cap. He has not been in contact with family or friends and there has been no activity on his bank account since.

RCMP have classified Mr. Matheson as a missing person, though in 2012 his case was added to a provincial reward program for major unsolved crimes that offers up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

[Missing Kenley @MissingKenley]

It has come to our attention that everyone who wrote the RCMP Commissioner in the wake of our 6/24/23 Tweet received the following letter yesterday (attached). Again, thanks to all of you who took action and pressured the RCMP to get moving on the Melanson Mountain forensics search—you helped make this happen!

#MissingKenley #BringKenleyHome

[Missing Kenley @MissingKenley]

DAY 33

Today marks 33 days since cadaver dog Rifle indicated the existence of human remains on Melanson Mountain.

Two quick notes:

1. We were remiss in our last Tweet by failing to mention another member of the 2-day Kenley Search. Although Jonathan Guy, expert Nova Scotian caver, was not able to be with us on the morning of the 24th, he did participate on Day 1 of the search and also generously shared both his knowledge and relevant sources during the research we conducted in preparation for it.

2. We would also like to bring your attention to an ongoing effort led by Kenley’s sister Kayrene to “Bring Kenley Home.” There is both a virtual mission (see link below) and in-person version. The latter will take place from July 6–8th, beginning at Acadia University (and in fact heading up Melanson Road toward the mountain) and ending in Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton. More info to follow.

The virtual mission site:

https://t.co/Zy7sqjzC34

[Heather Rankin @HeatherRankinMe]

I had a wonderful time last night at the North Star Gala in #Louisbourg. Thanks so much for having me, Colin and Justin!

[Heather Rankin @HeatherRankinMe]

My band tonight for the North Star Gala in #Louisbourg! @colinjustin

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

Over 1000 kids sing their hearts out at Music Monday https://t.co/cqWOCJHwso

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

Joine us for Music Monday in Sydney on May 1st! https://t.co/l7n23Am8LC

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

March... what's celebrated this month?
ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!
Join in the fun...
MTCC
In Membertou, NS
March 17, 2023
Doors 7 pm
Show 8 pm
Wet/Dry event (under 19 welcome)
Tickets https://t.co/e1YmrmhlLw

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

Get your green on! https://t.co/4ldh1slbAM

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

Tonight in Medicine Hat, AB https://t.co/N8llxc10gB #eastcoastchristmas #barramacneils

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

@KeyCity_Theatre tonight at 7:30pm
🎄🎶🚌….#eastcoastchristmas2022

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

Robbie Burns Night with the Barra MacNeils - January 21, 2023. Package for 2 at the Inverary Resort with overnight accommodations! 1-800-565-5660 https://t.co/YmwOsEPH0O

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

We start tonight in Nanaimo, BC
Get your tickets today https://t.co/CuTstaC60D

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

#NewProfilePic
#andsoitbegins #eastcoastchristmas #thechristmasalbum

[Shantero Productions @ShanteroProd]

#Oshawa The @BarraMacNeils 'An East Coast Christmas' is easily one of the most anticipated traditional concerts of the Holiday season and they're coming back to @RegentOshawa December 10th - 7:30pm! **Due to overwhelming demand a 3pm MATINEE performance has just been added!**

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

The East Coast Christmas concert tour – enroute coast to coast! https://t.co/U2SLVhDSdR

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

Updated Tour dates… check ’em out! 🎄
👉🏼 https://t.co/CuTstaC60D

[Missing Kenley @MissingKenley]

Recently spoke to & corresponded with John Goss, one of the constables who searched Kenley's room on 10/10/92 (see 10/10/22 tweets). Was hoping to include him in the series but was unable to find his contact info until late into post-production. More to follow. #MissingKenley

[The Barra MacNeils @BarraMacNeils]

Rise Together: N.S. entertainers to hit the stage in support of Fiona recovery efforts https://t.co/Cvyum2GSS8