The family of a Cape Breton man who has been missing for three years is hoping a new reward of $10,000 will bring them closure in the case.

Kenneth Douglas MacNeil, of Upper Leitches Creek, was last seen on Aug. 27, 2014.

The 50-year-old's brother, John Harvey MacNeil, saw him that evening, sitting on the steps of his mini home, smoking a cigarette.

"I said hello to him, invited him up for supper at our place. That's roughly about the last time I saw him," MacNeil said.

Later, at about 10 p.m. or 11 p.m., MacNeil heard a commotion outside.

"I heard loud music and his dog was outside our window hollering and barking and carrying on," he said. "So I went down to his house and his radio was blaring, his television was on, and there was no sign of him."

$10,000 reward

Since that day, Kenneth's family has never stopped looking for him. They occasionally walk along the highway or in wooded areas seeking signs of him.

Although MacNeil and Kenneth's sister, Rose MacIsaac, haven't given up all hope that he's alive, they believe he likely met with foul play.

Kenney's brother, John MacNeil, says he'll keep the missing poster taped to his vehicle for as long as his vehicle keeps running. (George Mortimer/CBC)

Recently, the family cobbled together a cash reward they hope will entice someone to come forward with information leading to the discovery of his remains.

"We're hoping it will spur on some individual that maybe doesn't have too much and doesn't mind squealing on whoever's involved with this here business with Kenney," said MacNeil.

Closure needed

MacIsaac said she just wants the uncertainty to end.

"We want closure and to know our brother is out there at the graveyard and we can go and see him, or he's in an urn in one of our houses," she said.

"This way here, every time it rains, every time it storms, you're thinking he's out there in this dirty rotten weather. Is he dead or alive? We don't know nothing and it's enough to drive you crazy."

Kenney was last seen on the steps of this mini home in Upper Leitches Creek near North Sydney on Aug. 27, 2014. (George Mortimer/CBC)

MacNeil said Kenneth didn't have a steady job, and sometimes sold his medication for money. But he was a "fine young man" and a hard worker, MacNeil said.

"Kenney was a good person," MacIsaac added. "Kenney could be mixed up at times, but Kenney would give you the shirt off his back."

Active police file

Staff Sgt. Stephen MacKinnon with the Cape Breton Regional Police Service said Kenneth's missing person case is still an active file. If police receive any new information, they will act on it, MacKinnon said.

"It'll never be closed until we have confirmation of where Mr. MacNeil is."

Anyone with information about the case is asked to call police at 902-563-5151 or Crime Stoppers at 902-562-8477.