Like an episode of cold case - Murder charge in Billy Mason case

More than four years after Billy Mason vanished, two men have been charged in connection to his murder.

Jeremy Hall, 36, of Hamilton is charged with first degree murder and Jason Lusted, 34, of Hamilton is charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Hamilton Police and Haldimand County OPP will not say if Mason’s body has been recovered.

At a press conference held moments ago, Donna Dixon, Mason’s mother, said “it has been an extremely long and painful journey” for her family.

Mason leaves behind a daughter, who Dixon is now raising.

Dixon, who has been tireless in keeping the search for her son in the public’s mind, thanked the media for its years of coverage of her quest for information.

Hamilton police have said they believe Mason was forced from his Main Street East apartment sometime around Feb. 22, 2006, by someone carrying a shotgun. A witness came forward and told police they had seen him marched out of his apartment at gunpoint