Halifax police charge man with murder after death of local yoga instructor

HALIFAX – A man charged with second-degree murder in the death of a well-known Halifax yoga instructor was in a relationship with the victim, police confirmed Tuesday.

Nicholas Jordan Butcher, 33, of Halifax, appeared briefly in Halifax provincial court and his case was set over until April 27.

He was arrested the same day officers found Kristin Johnston, 32, dead inside a Halifax-area home early on March 26. Butcher was rushed to hospital for treatment of injuries described as significant but not life threatening.

On Tuesday, Halifax Regional Police Supt. Jim Perrin confirmed Butcher and Johnston were in a “domestic relationship” at the time of Johnston’s death. He wouldn’t discuss Butcher’s injuries.

“We’re not going to get into the extent — that’s his private information as far as his injuries, but he’s been in the hospital since the 26th,” said Perrin.

Perrin said police believe Butcher and Johnston were the only two people in the home at the time of the homicide. He wouldn’t say whether police had recovered any weapons, or what the motive may have been.

“That will come out through the court process,” he said. “Like every homicide, this is a tragic case. Ms. Johnston was a young lady in the prime of her life and it’s very unfortunate what happened.”

Police had to wait until Butcher was released from hospital before they could interview him.

Johnston moved to Halifax from Montreal and opened a Bikram yoga studio, gaining a reputation as a kind and determined businesswoman with what friends described as a “magnetic” personality.