More than 125 people have been interviewed in Lunenburg County murder

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

Police are still looking for three suspects in connection to the murder of a 57-year-old man who was attacked outside his home in October 2020.

RCMP put out a video featuring Donald (Donny) Derrick Lohnes’ family giving more details to the public on who he was. On Oct. 25, Lohnes was taking an acquaintance into Bridgewater and dropped him off. When he returned to his home, where he lived with his dog on Jippie Avenue in the Pine Grove community around 3:00 p.m., he was assaulted by what he said were three men.

When Lohnes regained consciousness, he was outside in the front yard with his dog.

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

He later died in hospital from the injuries he sustained. Police at the time ruled his death a homicide.

Jeanne Rhodenizer, Lohnes’ mother, said she had no idea her son was assaulted until a friend called saying she needed to get to the hospital right away.

“When they took us in to see him, I was just, I almost fainted,” Rhodenizer said.

Lohnes’ brother, Danny, also went to see him. He said that he couldn’t believe the shape Lohnes was in.

“He was a kind and giving person. And of all his friends and family know that,” Danny said. “But just remember that, you know, Donny thought the world of everyone.”

Since then, more than 125 people have been interviewed, four crime scenes investigated and several electronic devices examined by police. However all those efforts have not resulted in the arrest or charges of the culprits.

“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,” Cpl. Chris Marshall with the RCMP said in a press release. “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.”

In December 2024, police put up a sign outside the Cookville detachment asking the public for help. This, officials said, generated new tips and helped police get closer to what really happened. The next effort the RCMP is taking is launching a video featuring Lohnes’ family.

The case has also been added to the major unsolved crimes program offering up $150,000 for information leading to an arrest.

Lohnes also worked at the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill. (RCMP)