Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
The Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit (SWN MCU) is continuing its investigation into the homicide of Donny Lohnes and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward by releasing a video featuring his family.
On October 25, 2020, 57-year-old Donald (Donny) Derrick Lohnes was attacked outside his home on Jippie Ave. in Pine Grove. Lohnes later died from injuries sustained during the attack. His death was ruled a homicide.
“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,” says Cpl. Chris Marshall, SWN MCU. “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.”
To date, more than 125 people have been interviewed, four crime scenes and several electronic devices have been forensically examined, and other exhibits have been sent to the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory.
“In December 2024, we installed a sign outside the Cookville RCMP detachment appealing for information from the public,” says Cpl. Marshall. “The sign generated new tips that brought us closer to finding out who’s responsible for Donny’s death. This video is another tool we’re using in an effort to solve his homicide.”
The case has been added to the Nova Scotia Reward for Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which offers up to $150,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in certain cases. The provincial reward line is 1-888-710-9090.
Anyone with information about Lohnes’s death is asked to call the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-365-3120. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.
Video
Transcript – RCMP investigators release video in continuing effort to solve homicide of Donny Lohnes
[somber piano music]
[photo of Donny Lohnes]
[text on screen: Help us find answers for the family of Donny Lohnes, Nova Scotia RCMP, RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit]
[Cookville RCMP detachment with a sign asking for information on Donny Lohnes.]
[Corporal Chris Marshall stands on the side of a snowy road.]
Corporal Chris Marshall: I’m Corporal Chris Marshall with the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, and I’m the Team Commander on the Donny Lohnes homicide investigation.
[A sign post for Jippie Avenue and a stop sign.]
Donny Lohnes was a 57-year-old man, a father, and lived with his dog here on Jippie Avenue, which is just down the road behind me.
[The Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill business sign.]
Donny also worked at the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill in Wileville.
[An aerial shot of the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill.]
On October 25th, 2020, Donny was taking an acquaintance into Bridgewater and dropped him off.
When Donny returned home at approximately 3 pm, he was immediately assaulted by what he believed to be three men, and Donny lost consciousness.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself in the front yard of his home, and his dog was outside.
Donny suffered serious injuries during the assault and ultimately elected not to report the assault to police, nor did he seek any medical treatment.
[Jeanne Rhodenizer sits in an interview room with tears in her eyes]
[text on screen: Jeanne Rhodenizer, mother of Donny Lohnes]
Jeanne Rhodenizer: Donny was a wonderful son.
He was so loving and everybody loved him.
A couple of days before, one of his friends called and said, “Did you know that Donny was beat up?”
And I said to her, I said, “What do you mean? Is he in the hospital or where is he?”
And she said, “No, he’s at work.”
So I didn’t call him because he was at work, you know, like and so I didn’t bother him.
But then the day it happened, she called and she said, “You better get to the hospital.” She said, “We just took Donny.”
Somebody called me from the hospital and said, “Are you Donny’s mother?”
And I said, “Yes.”
She said, “I suggest you get here as soon as you can.”
[Danny Lohnes sits in an interview room]
[text on screen: Danny Lohnes, brother of Donny Lohnes]
Danny Lohnes: I had gotten a call from Mom that he was in the hospital, and he wasn’t well.
He wasn’t gonna make it, I guess, is what she had told me, so I just got home from work — so off I went.
Jeanne: When they took us in to see him, I was just, I almost fainted.
Danny: Walking into the hospital and seeing the shape that he was in, like, that’s the memory.
And it’s reminded when I see friends of his.
He was a kind and giving person. And of all his friends and family know that, you know.
Unfortunately, that was taken away.
But just remember that, you know, Donny thought the world of everyone.
Jeanne: Please, please come forward because we need answers and we’re hoping and praying that somebody out there smartens up and says, “Maybe we can help solve this case.”
[photo of Donny Lohnes]
[text on screen: A reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for Donny’s murder by calling 1-888-710-9090. NS Major Unsolved Crimes Program]
Chris: Donny’s case has been added to the Nova Scotia Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program, which offers a reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for Donny’s murder.
Please come forward.
It’s important.
Do what’s right.
[music stops]
[Royal Canadian Mounted Police signature]
[© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2025]
[Canada wordmark]