Man charged with second-degree murder for 2022 East Preston homicide

CITYnews halifax / By Mark Hodgins

A man has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to a homicide that happened in East Preston two years ago.

The RCMP said in 2022, the body of 47-year-old Barry Angus Studley was found in a parked van in East Preston. At the time the case was ruled a homicide.

Through an investigation with tips from the public and forensic services, police have charged Patrick James Denny, 29, with second-degree murder and indignity to human remains.

The two were known to each other, police noted.

Related:

• Police look for information about homicide victim found inside parked van

Studley’s remains were found after officials were called to investigate a suspicious van that had been parked behind a strip mall.

Responding officers discovered the body inside.

The accused is currently in custody serving a sentence on an unrelated incident.

He’s expected to appear in Dartmouth Provincial Court to face the new charges Oct. 21.