Judge dismisses charges in Carrie Low case after accused found dead

A judge dismissed the charges in a high-profile sexual assault case Tuesday morning following the death of the accused in Dartmouth over the weekend.

Alexander Joseph Frederick Thomas, 35, was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday and Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing on charges of the sexual assault and forcible confinement of Carrie Low.

Thomas’ death was ruled a homicide on Sunday.

Lawyers appeared before Judge Ted Tax in Dartmouth provincial court Tuesday to determine  what would be done about the charges.

Tax began by confirming with the lawyers that the Thomas who was found dead on Saturday was the same man who was the accused in the case before the court.

One of the Crown attorneys said Halifax Regional Police told them that the accused in this case was dead, and therefore they have no evidence to bring forward.

The judge said though this was only meant to be a pre-trial hearing, it was regrettable that the proceedings could not continue.

Tax said it is unfortunate that “no one gets to determine guilt or innocence.”

The court then dismissed the charges against Thomas, and Tax thanked the lawyers for their “detailed briefs” on the case.

Low applied for the publication ban on her name to be lifted and was granted approval in October.

In May 2018, Low first reported being abducted, drugged, and sexually assaulted to Halifax Regional Police. After a year of apparent delays, lack of communication and inactivity on her case, Low filed complaints against the RCMP and Halifax Regional Police.