Transcript – RCMP investigators release video in continuing effort to solve homicide of Donny Lohnes
[somber piano music]
[photo of Donny Lohnes]
[text on screen: Help us find answers for the family of Donny Lohnes, Nova Scotia RCMP, RCMP Southwest Nova Major Crime Unit]
[Cookville RCMP detachment with a sign asking for information on Donny Lohnes.]
[Corporal Chris Marshall stands on the side of a snowy road.]
Corporal Chris Marshall: I’m Corporal Chris Marshall with the Southwest Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit, and I’m the Team Commander on the Donny Lohnes homicide investigation.
[A sign post for Jippie Avenue and a stop sign.]
Donny Lohnes was a 57-year-old man, a father, and lived with his dog here on Jippie Avenue, which is just down the road behind me.
[The Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill business sign.]
Donny also worked at the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill in Wileville.
[An aerial shot of the Elmer Lohnes Lumber Mill.]
On October 25th, 2020, Donny was taking an acquaintance into Bridgewater and dropped him off.
When Donny returned home at approximately 3 pm, he was immediately assaulted by what he believed to be three men, and Donny lost consciousness.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself in the front yard of his home, and his dog was outside.
Donny suffered serious injuries during the assault and ultimately elected not to report the assault to police, nor did he seek any medical treatment.
[Jeanne Rhodenizer sits in an interview room with tears in her eyes]
[text on screen: Jeanne Rhodenizer, mother of Donny Lohnes]
Jeanne Rhodenizer: Donny was a wonderful son.
He was so loving and everybody loved him.
A couple of days before, one of his friends called and said, “Did you know that Donny was beat up?”
And I said to her, I said, “What do you mean? Is he in the hospital or where is he?”
And she said, “No, he’s at work.”
So I didn’t call him because he was at work, you know, like and so I didn’t bother him.
But then the day it happened, she called and she said, “You better get to the hospital.” She said, “We just took Donny.”
Somebody called me from the hospital and said, “Are you Donny’s mother?”
And I said, “Yes.”
She said, “I suggest you get here as soon as you can.”
[Danny Lohnes sits in an interview room]
[text on screen: Danny Lohnes, brother of Donny Lohnes]
Danny Lohnes: I had gotten a call from Mom that he was in the hospital, and he wasn’t well.
He wasn’t gonna make it, I guess, is what she had told me, so I just got home from work — so off I went.
Jeanne: When they took us in to see him, I was just, I almost fainted.
Danny: Walking into the hospital and seeing the shape that he was in, like, that’s the memory.
And it’s reminded when I see friends of his.
He was a kind and giving person. And of all his friends and family know that, you know.
Unfortunately, that was taken away.
But just remember that, you know, Donny thought the world of everyone.
Jeanne: Please, please come forward because we need answers and we’re hoping and praying that somebody out there smartens up and says, “Maybe we can help solve this case.”
[photo of Donny Lohnes]
[text on screen: A reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for Donny’s murder by calling 1-888-710-9090. NS Major Unsolved Crimes Program]
Chris: Donny’s case has been added to the Nova Scotia Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes program, which offers a reward of up to $150,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction for Donny’s murder.
Please come forward.
It’s important.
Do what’s right.
[music stops]
[Royal Canadian Mounted Police signature]
[© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2025]
[Canada wordmark]
