Details surrounding the abduction of Serge Boutin are emerging during Charles Lassonde’s murder trial. Witnesses, including Boutin’s friend Jean-Denis Desloges, recount tense moments leading up to the incident, including Boutin’s distress and urgent need for insulin. Confrontations with Lassonde and Lana Dubois escalated, ultimately resulting in Boutin’s disappearance. Other witnesses, like Stéphane St-Cyr and Stéphanie Fennety, shared their experiences and concerns, highlighting the chaotic events without contacting authorities at the time.
Details Emerge in the Serge Boutin Abduction Case
The chilling events preceding the abduction of Serge Boutin are becoming increasingly detailed as the first-degree murder trial of Charles Lassonde unfolds. On the night of July 6 to 7, 2021, several witnesses took the stand to share their accounts of the night that would change everything for all involved.
Witness Testimonies Highlight the Tension
Jean-Denis Desloges, a close friend of the victim, recounted a pivotal conversation he had with Boutin on that fateful night. Boutin confided in him that he had “done something bad to Lana,” referring to Lana Dubois, the partner of the accused. Believing he could rectify the situation due to their long-standing friendship, Boutin’s sense of urgency to make amends was evident.
However, the mood shifted dramatically when Dubois and Lassonde confronted them near an apartment complex in Val-des-Sources. Desloges recalled that while he waited in a car, Boutin entered one of the apartments. Soon after, Lassonde allegedly emerged and demanded that Boutin exit the apartment. Upon Boutin’s emergence, Lassonde reportedly assaulted him with a “stick,” though Desloges could not specify its nature.
In a desperate plea, Boutin, who was diabetic, asked for his insulin, to which Lassonde allegedly coldly responded that he “wouldn’t need it anymore.” Defense attorney Me Martin Latour attempted to challenge Desloges’ account, suggesting that it was Dubois who made those remarks. Nevertheless, Desloges stood by his testimony, insisting that it was Lassonde who had spoken those chilling words.
Witness Stéphane St-Cyr also provided insight into the chaotic scene. He described Boutin’s unexpected visit to his apartment, stating that Boutin seemed anxious and claimed that Lassonde and Dubois accused him of hacking their phone. St-Cyr witnessed Lassonde’s aggressive demeanor as he called out to Boutin, prompting the victim to step outside. St-Cyr noted the escalating tension, with raised voices echoing outside his window, but by the time he attempted to intervene, the situation had already spiraled out of control.
Stéphanie Fennety, another witness, shared her life-altering experiences since those events. She recalled a late-night visit from Lassonde and Dubois, who were searching for Boutin. Fennety sensed their anxiety and later made a phone call to Desloges, urging Boutin to come over for an urgent discussion. She described how Dubois subtly instructed her not to reveal their presence, adding layers of intrigue to the already tense situation.
In the aftermath of Boutin’s abduction, Fennety communicated with Lassonde and Dubois, who claimed they had given Boutin to “some guys from Sherbrooke.” Fennety expressed confusion over Lassonde’s reticence, stating that most of the communication came from Dubois. Concerned for Boutin’s well-being, Fennety reached out to his sister weeks later to inform her of his disappearance.
As the trial progresses, the jury has been presented with testimonies from multiple witnesses, including audio from a deceased witness who lived nearby and expressed concern over Boutin’s welfare. Despite the gravity of the situation, none of the witnesses reached out to authorities during those critical days following the abduction.