A North Sydney, N.S., man who spent more than 300 days searching for his own son helped find another young man who went missing in the woods over the weekend.
Ken MacDonald, whose son Justin MacDonald disappeared in July 2024, searched 180 places, including shorelines, swamps, forests and gravel pits. MacDonald found his son’s remains in May in a wooded area near Sydney, N.S., after coming across a familiar-looking shirt and sandal.
After attending church on Sunday, Ken MacDonald spotted a social media post that tugged at his heart strings. A 22-year-old man was missing after heading out to a Glace Bay, N.S., bar the night before.
“I had to help because I know what it feels like,” said Ken MacDonald.
“I know the feelings and emotions that they’re probably experiencing and I just felt like maybe I could help them and find a better outcome.”
After checking in with Cape Breton Search and Rescue, Ken MacDonald and his friend, Steve Nugent, began by searching some properties in Glace Bay. (Submitted by Ken MacDonald )
Cape Breton Regional Police believe Justin MacDonald’s death was a homicide. Three people face charges.
On Sunday afternoon, Ken MacDonald went to Glace Bay and checked in with Cape Breton Search and Rescue, which was scouring the area where the man was last spotted. MacDonald said he knew many of the trails in the area as he had searched them before looking for his son.
Friend and family members were relieved after the missing man was found Sunday. (Submitted by Ken MacDonald)
MacDonald asked if he could share a video about the missing man to his Facebook page — which he posted — and later spoke with the man’s mother.
“We had a moment and I just told her to just keep the faith, keep praying,” said MacDonald. “I said, ‘Look, there’s a lot of people here.’
MacDonald and his friend, Steve Nugent, then began searching an area between Sydney and Glace Bay. Several hours after arriving on site, MacDonald said something caught his eye.
“Two small little yellow birds flew in front of me and I said to Steve, I said, ‘Justin’s with me,'” said MacDonald.
Three people have been charged with the homicide of Justin MacDonald. (Cape Breton Regional Police)
About five minutes later, the two searchers found the missing man walking along the Old Airport Road near Sydney. He was tired and disoriented but otherwise fine.
“I don’t know how things come together, but it was just a really good feeling that he was safe,” said MacDonald.
“We were able to put him in the back seat of the car, and called the cops, and called his mother and told her we were on our way back with him. It felt like a win. The guy is safe. And it just felt really, really good.”
MORE TOP STORIES