The 70-year-old woman who was allegedly killed by her partner on Wednesday in Lac-Supérieur was isolated and on the verge of filing for divorce. This new alleged feminicide is causing shock waves in the small municipality of the Laurentians.
“She could never receive anyone, most often because they didn’t want to. She lived quite alone, even if that’s not what she wanted. He was a guy who was in his bubble, he had no friends and he no longer spoke to anyone, not even his own family,” relates Manon Houle, sister of the victim, on the telephone, not without emotions.
It was she who found Louise Houle inanimate, in her bed, at the start of the day, in her house on Chemin du Lac-aux-Ours.
The room was then “full of blood”, says the woman who was also a neighbor of the victim. “It was a terrible scene. I called 911 right away,” she continues, saying she felt something was wrong when she didn’t see her sister leave for work in the morning.
The Sûreté du Québec (SQ), which went to the scene at 9:15 a.m., is currently refusing to confirm the identity of the victims or the link between them. The authorities officially speak of a “murder followed by suicide” and “suspicious deaths”, without giving further details.
Police sources familiar with the matter, however, confirmed on Wednesday that Mario Nadon, 67, allegedly killed his partner, Louise Houle, 70, before killing himself. Their death was pronounced at the hospital.
According to Manon Houle, the couple had already been living separately, one in the basement and the other on the ground floor, for several months already. Her sister, she said, was on the verge of divorce. “She just asked him to leave, she wanted to live at home. She wanted to divorce him and had even hired a lawyer. He was constantly negative about just about everything,” the grieving woman continues.
PHOTO FROM FACEBOOK
Louise Houle and Mario Nadon
It was the arrival of a bailiff last Monday that would have sent Mario Nadon into a tailspin, she continues. “He decided to take his gun to deal with all this. I am outraged that he came to take my sister away from me,” adds M.me Houle, who says she is convinced that the gesture was premeditated. “Louise was taking sleeping pills, so it must not have been very difficult to kill her,” she whispers, a tremor in her voice.
“Extremely painful”
On social networks, Wednesday, the mayor of Lac-Supérieur, Steve Perreault, first wanted to offer his condolences to the family and loved ones of the victims. “Our hearts go out to them and we wish them all the strength necessary to get through this difficult ordeal,” he said.
This is an extremely painful and upsetting situation, which is shaking our entire community. I invite citizens to take care of each other, particularly today, and above all, not to hesitate to call a loved one or the health services if they feel the need.
Steve Perreault, mayor of Lac-Supérieur
He affirms that his administration “has already taken steps to offer support to employees who need it.” “Our community is close-knit and we are well aware that certain people on the team could be affected by such a tragedy. Know that we are here for you,” said Mayor Perreault, promising to follow developments in the investigation closely.
Several investigators as well as forensic identification technicians were sent to the scene. The SQ’s Specialized Crimes Against Persons Investigation Department took charge of the case.
Need help ?
If you are a victim of domestic violence and are looking for help and respite, contact SOS Violenceconjugale at 1 800 363-9010. Workers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Find a women’s shelter on fmhf.ca
With Mayssa Ferah, The Press