Man facing charges in missing woman case

Finding the body of a vanished Dartmouth woman is a top priority for investigators, police said Thursday as a man accused of interfering with human remains in the case was remanded into custody.

Owen Patrick Nelson, 40, appeared in Dartmouth provincial court on charges stemming from the disappearance of 40-year-old Karen Lee MacKenzie.

The Dartmouth man faces charges of interfering with human remains, assault and two counts of breach of probation. Court documents indicate that Nelson had also previously been charged with assaulting MacKenzie.

“We do believe Ms. MacKenzie is deceased,’’ Halifax police Const. Carol McIsaac said. “We will not rule out the possibility of further charges ... searching for and locating Karen will continue to be one of the main goals of the investigative team.’’

Nelson’s lawyer, Michelle James, said it’s unusual to see a charge of interfering with human remains when police have not found a body.

“I can’t say that I’ve seen it before and I’ve been at it for about 18 years now,’’ James said.

James confirmed the previous assault charge to Global News, and said her client had a probation order which required him to have consent to be around MacKenzie.

Crown attorney Gerald Quigley wouldn’t comment on whether additional charges may be laid against Nelson.

“I don’t wish to comment on the unusual nature or otherwise of the case before the courts,’’ Quigley said.

According to Halifax Regional Police, MacKenzie was last seen on Feb. 25 on Highfield Park Drive in Dartmouth. She was officially reported missing to police on March 3.

Nelson is scheduled to appear in court again on March 26.