Andréane Ouellet did not die falling down the stairs, as her partner suggests. She was hit violently in the head “repeatedly”, explained Tuesday the forensic pathologist at the trial of Alexandre Boudreau-Chartrand, accused of the murder of his partner.
This is the first time that the jury has learned more about the circumstances of the death of Andréane Ouellet, a mother of five children found dead in September 2021 in her residence in Saint-Donat. The jury was also able to consult the grueling photos of the victim’s body.
This conclusion of Dr Dazé contradicts the accused’s observations on the fateful day. In a 911 call presented during the trial, Alexandre Boudreau-Chartrand said that his partner had had an “overdose” and had fallen down the stairs.
“It is not impossible that the victim fell and inflicted injuries on himself, but all of the head injuries cannot be explained by falls, even a fall down the stairs,” testified Dr Yann Dazé Tuesday at the Joliette courthouse.
Generally, a person who dies falling down the stairs will have significant internal injuries, which was not the case with the victim, explained Dr Dazé.
PHOTO FILED AS PROOF
Alexandre Boudreau-Chartrand
Andréane Ouellet’s head injuries were particularly serious. His face was completely bruised, but more importantly, the skin on his head was partially peeled away from the skull. A crucial element, since such an injury cannot be caused by a “simple fall”, but only by “multiple impacts” inflicted repeatedly, according to the Dr Dazé.
“It results from many impacts. We are talking about several impacts that go around the head. There is not an area of the head that is spared,” testified the forensic pathologist.
Such injuries suggest that Andréane Ouellet was struck by a part of the body – a fist or a foot for example – or by a surface. Dr Dazé cannot, however, completely exclude the use of an object. However, a weapon, such as a hammer, would have “broken” the victim’s skin, which is not the case here.
Could Andréane Ouellet have inflicted such injuries on herself? “We’re going to lose consciousness before we get there,” said D.r Dazé.
On Monday, the jury heard that the victim’s blood was found in almost every room of the house. His blood was projected on the wall and on the ground by an “impact” in at least two places, testified a specialist in forensic biology and in the analysis of blood stains and spatters.
The trial continues Wednesday before Judge Eric Downs. The prosecutors Me Valérie Michaud and Me Caroline Buist represents the public prosecutor. The accused is defended by Me Catherine Ranalli and Me Elise Pinsonnault.