‘I just hope justice comes’: 16-year-old Devon Marsman remembered by family and friends

A packed room in Halifax brought together family, friends and supporters of Devon Marsman on Sunday.

There were songs, prayers and cherished memories of the 16-year-old.

“He was laughing, smiling, making sure you were having a good time,” said Jacob Fougere, Marsman’s friend. “If you were down, he’d be the man to bring you up.”

Another one of Marsman’s friends, Rielly Lucas, said, “Devon was the light of the room.”

“Devon did everything to make everyone around him feel welcome,” he said.

Speaking to CTV News after, Lucas said the teen was an “amazing, incredible young man.”

“The time that we had on earth with him is going to be with us in our hearts and in our mind for the rest of our life,” he said with friends by his side.

Marsman was last seen in February 2022 in the Spryfield area and reported missing days later.

Police initially said they had no reason to suspect foul play, but two-and-a-half years later, his death was deemed a homicide – and charges started being laid.

Marsman’s cousin, Treyton Marsman, 26, was charged with second-degree murder, indignity to human remains and obstructing justice.

He was one of two people charged initially, on Sept. 17, 2024.

Charges were also laid against three others, including accessory after the fact.

Marsman’s mother warns parents to keep an eye on who their children are hanging around.

“He was my baby, right? He was 16. And this should never have happened to him,” Theresa Gray told CTV News. “I’m never going to get my son back, so there will never be closure for me.

“I just hope justice comes sooner than later.”

At the end of the service, 16 doves were released to the sky, honouring every one of Marsman’s years.

“He was smart, loving, super caring,” Gray said. “He always had time for everybody. He loved children.”

“Devon will always be in my heart and I’ll never let that man’s name go away – never,” she said to full crowd at the St. Agnes Church hall.

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