Theresa Gray, centre, surrounded by friends and family of her son Devon Marsman, release 16 doves on the steps of St. Agnes Church in Halifax on Sunday. Hundreds of people crowded into the church hall for a celebration of Marsman’s life. Photo by Jen Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentSixteen doves — one for each year of Devon Marsman’s short life — were launched into the air by those who loved him so much.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle content“For me, it’s overwhelming to see how many people came out in support of my son,” said Devon’s mother, Theresa Gray, in an interview after a celebration of life ceremony at St. Agnes Church in Halifax on Sunday. The church hall was packed with hundreds of people for the public event.Article contentArticle contentArticle content“This day isn’t healing for me, this day is showing my son he was loved,” Gray said. “The only thing that will be healing for me is that once these five trials come in, that five people face justice. That will be the only healing for me.”Article content Theresa Gray, centre, surrounded by friends and family of her son Devon Marsman, release 16 doves on the steps of St. Agnes Church in Halifax on Sunday. Hundreds of people crowded into the church hall for a celebration of Marsman’s life. Photo by Jen Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentDisappearance, investigation and chargesArticle contentDevon disappeared from Halifax in February 2022 and on Sept. 17, 2024, police announced the teen’s disappearance had become a homicide. Investigators believe Devon was killed Feb. 25, 2022, at his cousin’s former apartment on Gala Court in Spryfield. His remains were discovered near Hantsport last September.Article contentTreyton Marsman, 26, of Lakeside, was one of two men arrested last September and he was charged with second-degree murder, interfering with human remains and obstructing justice. The other person arrested last September was a 20-year-old Halifax man who was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder and obstructing justice. He was 17 when he allegedly committed the offences, so he’s charged as a minor, meaning his identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.Article contentArticle contentPolice arrested two women last fall and a man in March for their alleged involvement after the homicide. They’re all free on bail.Article content A tattoo on Devon Marsman’s mother Theresa Gray’s arm is seen during the celebration of life event at St. Agnes Church Hall in Halifax on Sunday. Photo by Jen Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentEnough is enoughArticle content“Some of us want to cry, some of us want revenge and some of us are so overwhelmed … I believe all of those emotions are valid,” said DeRico Symonds, who got to know Devon and his family through summer camps at St. Andrew’s Community Centre, near where Devon lived in “the pubs” (public housing).Article content A painting of Devon Marsman on display during his celebration of life at St.Agnes Church Hall on Sunday. Photo by Jen Taplin /The Chronicle HeraldArticle contentSymonds urged, along with other speakers, that while he understands the need for retaliation, violence isn’t the way.Article content“More violence needs more violence. More funerals, more pain, more kids growing up without their friends, their siblings, their fathers, and so more of this feeling. So there has to come a point where we say enough is enough.”Article contentHe urged the crowd to honour Devon’s life by committing to safety, love and a future for young people.
His story matters: Devon Marsman remembered as fun-loving, laughing kid
