There is one large, lingering question hanging over the first-degree murder trial of William Sandeson: where is Taylor Samson, the man he's accused of killing?

Samson was last seen alive on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, entering Sandeson's apartment in south-end Halifax. Police found his DNA in that apartment and on objects seized from the Sandeson family farm near Truro, but they have not found his body.

His mother, Linda Boutilier, has been searching for her son ever since he failed to show up for Sunday dinner the day after he disappeared. She joined his friends in combing through dumpsters and hedges near Sandeson's apartment.

She has continued that search ever since, but she admits she is unfamiliar with the Truro area, where many suspect Samson's remains were left.

Crowdfunding campaign

Now, the search could get larger and more focused.

Friends of Boutilier launched a fundraising campaign on Wednesday on GoFundMe in hopes of getting enough money to hire private detectives and trained cadaver dogs.

By Saturday morning, 13 people had contributed a total of $530 toward the campaign's stated goal of $15,000.

Boutilier said she also has friends in the Truro area who are helping her identify likely areas to focus the search.

Jurors began deliberations in the case on Thursday and have yet to reach a verdict.