The Nova Scotia Public Prosecution Service confirms it has withdrawn a second-degree murder charge in relation to a fatal fire in South Rawdon, N.S., in 2017.

The fire on April 3, 2017, claimed the life of Laura Ross, 27, whose body was discovered inside the structure where the fire took place.

An autopsy was conducted and the investigation concluded that the fire was intentionally set and that the death was a homicide.

Two young children were rescued from an adjacent home.

Joshua Eric Crowell of Upper Sackville was arrested by police and charged with second-degree murder.

Monday, a spokesperson from the Public Prosecution Service said the charge was withdrawn a couple weeks ago and Crowell was released.

“As with every case, there is a continuous assessment. It became apparent there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. As such, we are obligated to stop the prosecution,” wrote spokesperson Chris Hansen in an e-mail.

The charge was originally laid in July 2017. At the time, RCMP said they did not anticipate making any further arrests or charges.

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