In the early morning hours of a summer Saturday in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, the life of Nelson Tyrelle Beals was brought to a violent and sudden end. He was a 34-year-old man whose death left a void in the lives of his family and friends, a community grappling with unanswered questions, and a police file that remains open years later.
The call came in to Halifax Regional Police at approximately 2:08 a.m. on June 11, 2022. Officers were dispatched to a residence on Viscaya Place, a quiet street in Dartmouth, following a report of a shooting. Inside the home, they discovered Nelson Beals. He had sustained injuries consistent with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. The quiet of the residential neighborhood was shattered, replaced by the presence of police and the beginning of a long and complex investigation.
The following day, the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service conducted an autopsy and officially ruled the manner of death to be a homicide.
The investigation was taken over by homicide investigators from the Special Investigations Section of the Integrated Criminal Investigation Division. In the initial stages, police appealed to the public for assistance, asking anyone who might have information or video footage from the area between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. on the night of the shooting to come forward. In a statement, police extended their thoughts to Nelson's family and loved ones during the difficult time.
As the investigation progressed without an arrest, authorities sought to encourage potential witnesses. Nelson's case was added to the Nova Scotia Department of Justice Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program. The program offers a significant financial incentive—a reward of up to $150,000—for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime. Investigators have stated their firm belief that there are people in the community who hold key information that they have not yet shared with police.
On the second anniversary of the killing in June 2024, Halifax Regional Police issued a renewed plea for help from the public. They emphasized that it is never too late to come forward and that even the smallest piece of information could be the crucial element needed to advance the investigation. "We are asking them to do the right thing and share what they know with police," the department stated. This sentiment underscores the ongoing commitment of law enforcement to solving the case and bringing a measure of closure to Nelson's family.
As of June 2026, four years after Nelson Beals was killed, his murder remains unsolved. The Halifax Regional Police continue their investigation, and the substantial reward for information remains in place. The case is a stark reminder of the lasting impact of violence, leaving a family to navigate their grief without the finality of justice.
Investigators urge anyone with information about the murder of Nelson Tyrelle Beals to contact the police at 902-490-5020. For those who wish to provide information that could lead to an arrest and conviction, the Rewards for Major Unsolved Crimes Program can be reached toll-free at 1-888-710-9090. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), through their secure website, or by using the P3 Tips App.
