Police continue their search for three suspects connected to the murder of 57-year-old Donald (Donny) Derrick Lohnes, who was viciously attacked outside his home in Bridgewater in October 2020. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) recently released a video featuring Lohnes' family, providing insight into his character and the tragic circumstances surrounding his death.
On October 25, 2020, Lohnes was giving an acquaintance a ride to Bridgewater and returned to his residence on Jippie Avenue in the Pine Grove community around 3:00 PM when he encountered three assailants. The assault left him severely injured, and upon regaining consciousness, he found himself outside with his dog.
Despite sustaining life-threatening injuries, Lohnes chose not to report the assault to law enforcement or seek medical attention, as stated by the RCMP in their video. Tragically, he later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, and his death was classified as a homicide.
Jeanne Rhodenizer, Lohnes' mother, was unaware of the assault until she received a call from a friend, prompting her to rush to the hospital. Upon seeing her son, she described her shock, saying, “When they took us in to see him, I was just, I almost fainted.” Lohnes' brother, Danny, expressed disbelief upon seeing Lohnes' condition, remembering him as a kind and giving person who cherished his family and friends.
Since the incident, law enforcement has conducted extensive investigations, interviewing more than 125 individuals, examining four different crime scenes, and analyzing several electronic devices. Despite these efforts, no arrests or charges have been made against the attackers.
Cpl. Chris Marshall from the RCMP highlighted that investigators believe Lohnes was targeted and that his attackers mistakenly believed he was involved in a dispute that he was not part of. He urged anyone with information to step forward, stating, “Someone knows something; we hope that someone will come forward after seeing the pain Donny's mom and brother are living with; we want to help bring them answers.”
In December 2024, the police initiated a public appeal for assistance, placing a sign outside the Cookville detachment which resulted in new tips being generated, bringing them closer to uncovering the truth. The RCMP is now utilizing a video featuring Lohnes' family in their ongoing efforts to revive interest and gather further information about the case.
The case has been added to a major unsolved crimes program, which offers a reward of $150,000 for any information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for Lohnes' murder. As the investigation continues, the hope remains that justice will be served in memory of Donald (Donny) Derrick Lohnes.
