Clark’s Harbour man charged in Halifax overdose death

A Clark's Harbour man faces four charges, including manslaughter, in the November 2018 drug overdose death of a young Halifax woman.

Jesse Arthur Simpson, 29, was arrested Thursday in Shelburne County.

In addition to manslaughter, Simpson is charged with criminal negligence causing death, trafficking cocaine and trafficking fentanyl.

Cameron Annette Clairmont, 19, was pronounced dead at a small apartment building in the 0-110 block of the Bedford Highway in Halifax on

Nov. 2, 2018 at about 11:15 a.m., after police and paramedics responded to a report of a woman who required immediate medical assistance.

Clairmont's death was determined to be a result of a drug overdose, Halifax police said in a news release Friday.

"After careful consideration of all factors of the investigation, and in consultation with (the) Public Prosecution Service, it was determined that there were grounds to lay charges of manslaughter and criminal negligence causing death in relation to Cameron's death," the release said.

Simpson was arraigned before a justice of the peace Thursday and appeared in Halifax provincial court Friday for a bail hearing.

The Crown consented to his release on a $5,000 recognizance.

Simpson must reside at an address in Clam Point on Cape Sable Island. Judge Gregory

Lenehan also prohibited him from having any weapons and from possessing or consuming any drugs.

He will return to court in January after he applies for legal aid on the charges.

According to Clairmont's obituary, she was born in Yarmouth and graduated from Barrington Municipal High School in 2017. She started her studies in sociology and anthropology at Mount Saint Vincent University, which is less than a kilometre from where she died, in September 2018.

“She was excited to be living in the city, finally able to pursue her dreams and goals,” the obituary said.

“A budding feminist, Cameron was passionate about fighting the injustices of the world.”

Clairmont was active in many sports, including soccer, crosscountry and track, rugby and hockey.

“Cameron also expressed herself artistically through dance since she was four years old, and was an excellent artist, singer and writer,” the obituary said.