Found lifeless in a vehicle in Gaspésie: a young mother among the victims

An unfortunate accident is believed to be the cause of the death of three people found lifeless in a vehicle in the forest north of Nouvelle, in Gaspésie, on Saturday morning.

• Also read: The SQ is investigating “three suspicious deaths” in Gaspésie

• Also read: Armed violence: a man shot in Gaspésie

“We are still waiting for certain samples from the coroner, but at present, the theory of accidental deaths is the preferred one,” indicated Audrey-Anne Bilodeau, spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), Monday.

The victims may have suffered carbon monoxide poisoning while in their vehicle, which became stuck. “This is one of the hypotheses that are being studied,” says Mr.^Me Bilodeau.

The identities of the deceased were released Monday by the Coroner’s Office. They are Robert William Legouffe, 38, of New Richmond, Carine Ouellette-Turgeon, 34, of New Richmond, and Monica Ouellet, 25, of Gaspé.

Young mother

Online, testimonies are multiplying to pay tribute to them. “You were going (on) hunting, you were happy,” we read in a touching publication left by someone close to Monica Ouellet.

According to a crowdfunding campaign that was launched on the GoFundMe platform, she was the mother of young children. “The funds will be used to give him a beautiful funeral and a beautiful ceremony, as well as to take care of his darling babies,” it is specified.

It was Saturday morning that the inanimate bodies of the three victims were discovered in a vehicle mired in a stream near Chemin Brébeuf, in a wooded area.

This tragedy occurs as the forest areas of the peninsula are stormed by thousands of fans of the original rifle hunt, which opened on Saturday.

Consternation

According to the mayor of Nouvelle, Rachel Dugas, the area where the sad event occurred is “well maintained”, but “you have to know the trails” and “know where to go”.

“It is certain that people here are dismayed by the tragedy (…). We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the families and friends,” said the elected official.

The deaths were initially treated as suspicious deaths by SQ investigators.

“Investigations are underway by the coroner Mr.^e Donald Nicole in order to shed light on the causes and circumstances surrounding the death,” said Jake Lamotta Granato, spokesperson for the Coroner’s Office.

– With the collaboration of Jérémy Bernier