A contractor carries fencing after city compliance staff officially closed off the site of the former Geary Street homeless encampment in Dartmouth Wednesday June 25, 2025. The three remaining people here were asked to pack their belongings for transportation or storage and to vacate the site. Photo by Tim KrochakArticle contentPolice say an autopsy has determined that a man found dead at the Geary Street encampment site in Dartmouth last winter was the victim of a homicide.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 contentOn Dec. 22, Halifax Regional Police were called to the site for a report of a man being assaulted by a woman. Paramedics were also called but the man declined medical treatment and did not want a follow-up investigation by police.Article contentArticle contentArticle contentPolice were called to the site again just before 4:30 p.m. on Boxing Day for a report of a deceased male in a tent. He was identified as the same person who was assaulted four days before.Article contentIn a news release Wednesday, police said the medical examiner’s office determined last week that 56-year-old Jeffrey Alexander Emmerson had died as a result of a homicide.Article contentThe woman involved in the assault is described as white, between the ages of 20 and 25. She is about four-feet-10, with a medium build and shoulder-length dark hair. At the time, she was wearing a blue jacket and red sweatpants.Article contentAnyone with information is asked to call police at 902-490-5020 or contact Crime Stoppers.Article contentLast people removedArticle contentThe news that the death was a homicide came the same day that Halifax Regional Municipality said it had helped move the last people from the encampment site.Article contentArticle contentOn May 28, the municipality announced that the Geary Street green space was de-designated as a location where people could shelter. Less than half a dozen people staying at location were told through a written notice they would have until last Sunday to relocate to an indoor option or, if necessary, to another of the municipality’s designated encampment locations.Article contentArticle contentAs of 9 a.m. on Wednesday there were three people still using the site. In a release, the municipality said compliance staff spoke with individuals to remind them that they could not remain and that they had to pack their belongings for transportation or storage. Municipal housing and homelessness staff were also at the site and assisted the individuals with transportation for them and their belongings to alternative locations.Article contentBy 10:15 a.m., everyone had vacated the site and fencing was being installed.
Death of man at Dartmouth encampment site ruled a homicide
