New Case in Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes

NOTE: A photo of Steven Michael Hall is available at http://gov.ns.ca/news/Photos/2009/Jun/HALL_cropped.jpg .

Another case in Nova Scotia's Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program was added today, June 16.

The Department of Justice will offer a cash reward of up to $150,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals responsible for the following case:

• Steven Michael Hall of Seffernsville, Lunenburg, Co., homicide.

Mr. Hall disappeared on Saturday, April 27, 1996. After leaving his parent's home in Seffernsville, Lunenburg Co., around 10:30 a.m., Mr. Hall went to the Ultramar in Chester Basin to pay a bill. While at the service station, Mr. Hall was seen having a brief conversation with a person in a vehicle at the gas pumps. Hall was last seen hitchhiking on Highway 3 towards Chester.

About seven months later, Mr. Hall's body was discovered on Nov. 23, 1996, in a wooded area on Hogg Lot Road, located off Highway 14 and about 13 kilometres north of the Chester area.

It was determined that Mr. Hall died of unnatural causes. There was an extensive investigation, however no criminal charges have been laid. Although the case remains unsolved, the investigation is still ongoing.

"There is no such thing as a small detail or insignificant tip," said RCMP spokesperson Mark Gallagher. "We are hoping someone will come forward with information that could bring criminals to justice and help bring some closure to the family of the late Mr. Hall, who would have turned 35 years old today."

Anyone with information about this case can call the Department of Justice toll-free at 1-888-710-9090.

Those who do come forward with information will be expected to provide their name and contact information. In addition, they may be called to testify in court. All calls to the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program will be traced and recorded.

Nova Scotians can anonymously contact Crime Stoppers with information on the case at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

More information on this case, and other cases, can be found on the Department of Justice website at www.gov.ns.ca/just .

The Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program was launched in October 2006 as another tool for law enforcement to use in solving crime. There are now 56 cases in the program.