BARR SETTLEMENT: Foul play is suspected in the death of a man and woman at their home on Barr Settlement Road, in Barr Settlement.

RCMP responded to a 911 call at 7:30 a.m., from a person who had arrived at the home. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of a man and woman inside the home, which is surrounded by woods and hard to notice from the road.

Three vehicles, a truck with a plow, a minivan and a car were seen in the driveway near the two-storey house, which had a large window in the bottom section of the home, facing the road.

“We’re not disclosing where the call came from or who made that phone call at this point in time,” Sgt. Brigdit Leger, Nova Scotia RCMP spokeswoman, said. “Our investigators are still processing the scene. We have confirmed that it is serious in nature and we’re treating it as foul play. I can’t disclose any more information then that.”

RCMP has identified the victims as Russell (Rusty) and Ellen Hall, the former owners of the Nine Mile River convenience store. Both were 53-year-olds.

When asked if the two were known to police, Leger said the Privacy Act doesn’t allow her to confirm that.

A nearby mailbox seemed to confirm the identity as in black letters it reads 1239, while the faded letters say Hall.

RCMP Forensic Analyst and Identification teams were seen on the property taking photos of evidence before collecting it. Leger confirmed an autopsy on the bodies was to be carried out later in the day.

It’s reported a suspicious vehicle was seen leaving the home in the early morning hours, however Leger declined to confirm that report.

“We’re investigating every single avenue of this matter,” Leger said. “We’re exploring every possibility, every motivation. They’re a number of avenues in the investigation we’re currently following up on.”

Leger wouldn’t say if the man’s reported participation as a member of an outlaw motorcycle gang may have played a role in the incident.

“This investigation is very much in its preliminary stage. We’re looking at all causes of motivation,” she explained. “When something like this occurs we follow every single avenue of an investigation we can get. That includes following up with neighbourhood inquiries, talking to witnesses and anyone who may have information.”

Officers were expected to remain on the scene for the remainder of the day, Leger said.

Police were turning vehicles around in both directions as they kept the scene clear for investigators to do their job.

Jim Lightle was one of those who was turned away. He said he was going down to check on some woods and hadn’t heard much on what was going. He also said he didn’t know the two deceased residents.

Neighbours confirmed they knew who they were, however declined to confirm their identity or what they saw.

One man had a phone call from his son in Halifax telling him the news. He came to the scene and was shocked to see that something like this had occurred in the quiet neighbour.

“This is a quiet spot, nothing like this happens here,” the man, who didn’t want his identity used, said.

phealey@enfieldweeklypress.com