Digby County homicide victim's grave vandalized after man charged

A cemetery monument of a homicide victim in Digby County, N.S., was vandalized this week after Nova Scotia RCMP charged a man with second-degree murder.

Vernon Doucet, 64, was attacked in his home in Concession in February 2022.He later died in hospitalfrom his injuries.

On Friday, police saidhis stone monument at the cemetery had been removed from its location and spray-painted.

On Wednesday, Nova Scotia RCMP announced Tyler Colbert Andrew Langford, 33,of Weymouth, N.S., had beencharged with second-degree murder after a 28-monthinvestigation.

Langfordwas taken into custody and appeared in Annapolis provincial court on Wednesday.

Police said they anticipated a second person would be charged in the coming days.

In a news release Friday, police said they believe the vandalism is connected to the charges.

This is the second suspicious incident RCMP have reported related to this case. In March 2022, a low-hanging mannequin was left dangling over Highway 101 in New Edinburgh, N.S. The mannequin was dressed in orange clothing and marked "Justice for Vernon."

On Wednesday, police told CBC News they were unable to identify any suspects behind the mannequin incident and the case is now closed.