Edward William Phalen

Edward William Phalen was a 44-year-old father of four living with his wife, Veronica, and their children in the small town of Trenton, Nova Scotia. He was known as a family man, and the events of one autumn evening in 2011 would leave his loved ones shattered and his community searching for answers that remain elusive more than a decade later.

On the evening of Tuesday, October 25, 2011, Edward left his home on Mechanic Street around 7:45 p.m. for a quick trip to a local convenience store. It was a routine errand that should have ended with him returning safely to his family. Instead, a deadly ambush was waiting for him. Minutes after he pulled back up to his residence, as his wife was inside putting their four children to bed, Edward was confronted in his own yard. One or more assailants shot him and fled the scene on foot. Witnesses in the quiet neighborhood reported hearing two loud bangs. Edward William Phalen, a male, died from his injuries right outside the door of his home.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were called to the scene, and the investigation into the brazen homicide began immediately. The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit determined that the attack was not random. Investigators believe the killer, or killers, were lying in wait for Edward to return from the store, targeting him specifically. A relative of his wife, Darrell Buell, told reporters in 2011 that it appeared a confrontation happened right in the yard. Despite the sudden violence, nothing appeared to be disturbed, suggesting robbery was not the motive.

Over the years, the investigation has continued, but no arrests have been made. Police are convinced that there are people in the community who hold key information that could finally lead to a breakthrough. The case was added to the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program, which offers a significant incentive for anyone who comes forward. The provincial government is offering up to $150,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Edward’s murder.

As the years passed, Edward's family has been forced to live with the pain and uncertainty of his unsolved killing. On the second anniversary of his death in 2013, they pleaded for anyone with information to break their silence and contact the authorities. The passage of time has not diminished the resolve of investigators, who continue to seek justice for the Phalen family.

On October 25, 2026, marking the 15th anniversary of the homicide, the Nova Scotia RCMP issued a renewed appeal to the public. They reiterated their belief that people still have information that could solve the case and urged them to come forward. The file remains open and active, a cold case that police are determined to close.

The investigation into the murder of Edward William Phalen is ongoing. Anyone with information about the person or persons responsible is asked to contact the Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit at 902-896-5070. To provide information anonymously, individuals can call the provincial rewards line at 1-888-710-9090 or contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).