CANADA • Valerie LEBLANC, 18 ~ Gatineau QC

Valerie Leblanc, 18, was found dead in a forest behind her Gatineau, Que., school Cegep de l'Outaouais Tuesday.

The badly beaten and burned body of Valerie Leblanc, 18, was discovered in the woods behind a school in Hull in western Quebec.

Police in Gatineau are investigating after her body was found Tuesday near the Cégep de l'Outaouais in Hull. They confirmed the identity of the victim as Leblanc, a student at the school whose family had reported her missing.

Two students found the body around 4 p.m. Tuesday near the bike path behind the school's Campus Gabrielle-Roy.

Josianne Tardif was having a cigarette on the path with her friends when they came upon the body.



"She was lying down on her front, her legs were broken," said Tardif, "at the time we didn't believe it was real."

The pair originally thought the body was a mannequin, until they moved closer and decided to call police.

"We kind of smelled the dead body burning, that's when we realized what you saw. It was really excruciating," she said.

Leblanc's body was transported to Montreal, where an autopsy is to take place. Gatineau police said the death is considered suspicious.

Body found in same spot last year

The location where the body was found is near the spot where in March 2010 a woman was found badly burned in what police later called an attempted suicide.

The similarity of the incidents led some at the school and family members of Leblanc to speculate they were connected.

But police said Wednesday last year's incident is still considered an attempted suicide, while this one is not a suicide.

The area, a popular spot for Gatineau teenagers, was also where Tardif planned to go this weekend.

"We were supposed to go camping in these woods. But really, now I don't want to go because I don't feel safe," she said.

Investigators remained on the scene Wednesday evening.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/08/24/ottawa-suspicious-death-hull.html

Gatineau student's body may have been tampered with
August 25, 2011

The body of a student found burned and beaten outside her school may have been "manipulated" after death, prompting further investigation by police in Gatineau, Que.

The body of Valerie Leblanc, 18, was found Tuesday near a bike path in the woods behind the Gabrielle-Roy campus of the Cégep de l'Outaouais in the Hull sector of Gatineau.

Leblanc was at school Tuesday morning and disappeared in the afternoon. Two students said in the afternoon they smelled smoke and later found her body near a bike path behind the school.

They called police at about 4 p.m. ET.



Gatineau police spokesman Sgt. Jean-Paul Le May said Thursday a parallel investigation opened after preliminary evidence suggests people who first came upon the body may have "manipulated" it.

"Certain actions were taken by the people who discovered the body of Valerie Leblanc, so there is a second investigation to the one of murder," said Gatineau police spokesman Sgt. Jean-Paul Le May.

Le May said there are four suspects in the second investigation, which also includes allegations of obstructing the homicide investigation.

Le May did not provide details as to when this may have happened or what might have been done, but said the people involved in the second investigation are not believed to be involved in the death of Leblanc, which police said is the first homicide of the year in the city.

Leblanc's body was transported to Montreal, where an autopsy took place. The results are expected Friday morning.

On Thursday, additional special investigators and equipment were called in to assist in the probe.

Police have also set up a hotline for tips at 819-243-2346 ext. 6677 and said they will be at the scene until at least Friday.

Family holds vigil on Wednesday

On Wednesday evening, more than 100 people, including Leblanc's family, gathered at the campus to grieve and pay tribute to Leblanc.

Students at the school organized the impromptu vigil to honour their friend, a second-year student who wanted to become a police officer.

Leblanc's grandmother led a prayer circle, and asked that each of them keep her granddaughter in their hearts, saying she loved her friends.

Students said the death was both sad and shocking.

"I brought flowers for Valerie to keep her in my mind and never forget her," said friend Michael Reitano.

The location where the body was found is near the spot where in March 2010 a woman was found badly burned in what police later called an attempted suicide.

The similarity of the incidents led some at the school and family members of Leblanc to speculate they were connected.

But on Wednesday police said last year's incident is still considered an attempted suicide, while Leblanc's death is being treated as a homicide.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/08/25/ott-gatineau-body-found.html

Video news report may be viewed at above link

Community mourns homicide victim



Family and friends held a vigil Wednesday night for the victim of Gatineau’s first homicide of the year after the body of 18-year-old Valérie Leblanc was found behind the CEGEP de l’Outaouais’s Gabrielle-Roy Campus Tuesday afternoon.

Her body, which Gatineau police said had been badly beaten and burned, was found by a group of students at around 4 p.m. in the woods behind the campus at 333 Cité des Jeunes Blvd.

The students were on the main path in Gatineau Park, exploring the area on their second day in CEGEP. One said they noticed traces of smoke coming from a trail that connects the path to the CEGEP.

The body wasn’t visible from the main path, she said, but they came across it only about five seconds down the trail.

“It didn’t seem real,” she said in French. “It looked like a mannequin. We would never have thought it was someone. That’s why there was a delay in calling the police.”

Sgt. Jean Paul Lemay said when police arrived on scene, they found smoke coming from the location of the body.

“We’re dealing with a body that has marks of violence and also burn marks on the body,” he said. An autopsy was to be conducted Wednesday in Montreal to determine the cause of death. Lemay would not comment on whether there were signs of sexual assault or the nature of the burns.

Police have been investigating the scene since Tuesday afternoon, and Lemay said it could take days to cover the entire area. “We have a big, vast crime scene and we have evidence that we’re hoping to find.” There were many witnesses being questioned, he said, including the group that found the body, and family members, who quickly came forward to offer help.

The CEGEP has numerous security cameras in the area, including some near the trail, which would be given to police upon request, CEGEP Outaouais spokesman Pascal Laplante said.

On Wednesday night, Leblanc’s friends and family gathered near the edge of the forest where her body was found to hold a vigil.

Her friends sat in clusters on the grass while Leblanc’s relatives stood at the edge of the police tape, crying and hugging each other. Soon after, they joined hands around a giant tree to pray and sing hymns. Many people brought flowers, candles, letters and stuffed animals, as well as a few personal items, such as drumsticks, and set them beneath the tree.

Leblanc’s best friend, Melanie Marcil, 19, came to the vigil with her boyfriend, Francis Boulandier, 21. Both looked sombre. Marcil said Leblanc had gone into the woods at around 11 a.m. on Tuesday to talk to her ex-boyfriend, who had recently ended their three-month relationship. When she didn’t come back, Marcil, whom Leblanc shared a locker with, became worried. Marcil and a few friends went looking for Leblanc in the woods, but couldn’t find her [Note] . Boulandier said he was “devastated” when he heard the news that Leblanc’s body had been found [/NOTE] .

Lemay confirmed that Leblanc, who was beginning her second year at CEGEP studying humanitarian science, and her boyfriend had broken up recently. The ex-boyfriend was questioned Wednesday morning, but Lemay said police did not consider him a suspect. “There are absolutely no links between the ex-boyfriend and the victim,” he said.

Leblanc’s friends and family also don’t believe her ex-boyfriend, who attended the vigil Wednesday, was involved.

“He was such a nice boy,” said Leblanc’s grandmother, Huguette, who attended the vigil with her husband, Bert, Leblanc’s father, Sylvain, and sister, Noemie.

Longtime family friend Mylene Beaulm said Leblanc was one of the most positive and kind-hearted people she knew.

“I never saw her down,” Beaulm said. “Whatever happened in life, she’d just take something positive from it.”

Beaulm said Leblanc spent her summer working at a children’s summer camp and Tim Hortons. She loved the arts and could often be found writing poems and playing the drums. But Beaulm said Leblanc also had a tough side, regularly practicing taekwondo.

“She never backed down.”

Leblanc’s martial arts background led Marcil and Boulandier to believe that she was attacked by a group, not just one person.

Lemay said police are looking at all options in their investigation.

Late Wednesday afternoon, Gatineau police established a phone line to receive information from the public about the incident: 819-243-2346, ext. 6677. Police are looking specifically for anyone who observed suspicious behaviour in the area between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday.

Before police released details of the case Wednesday afternoon, rumours circulated on campus about the death and its connection to a case one year earlier.

In March 2010, a woman was found behind the same school with severe second- and third-degree burns, in an incident police called a suspected suicide attempt.

A passerby discovered the woman, believed to be in her 20s, in the parking lot behind CEGEP de l’Outaouais.

Police found a gas can, a lighter, clothing and human hair near the parking lot. Upon searching the area, they found no other people.

Lemay addressed the similarities of the two cases, but dismissed the possibility of a link. “Yes, it’s close, it’s just about the same spot, but they’re not related.”

At the moment, Lemay said police did not think the situation required an alert to the public. “This place does not have a history of violent crime,” he said, and the area is generally safe. “If we ever had information that we thought the population should have with regards to their security, we would not hesitate to give it out.”

Noémie Robitaille, a fellow second-year CEGEP student, said Leblanc was a character who often wore hats to class. “It’s horrible,” she said. “I was really knocked over when I heard the news.” Robitaille had taken a walk in the woods Tuesday before hearing the news. The next day, she said she was afraid to use the paths again, a sentiment echoed by many other students.

Laplante said security is being stepped up on campus to keep the CEGEP’s students safe, and some activities would be relocated away from the woods. “The people can still go outside and feel secure.”

Classes were running as usual, but the mood at the school was sombre, he said. Counselling services are available for students who need support.

Boulandier said while many of Leblanc’s friends attended school on Wednesday they came with heavy hearts.

“There were no smiles or laughs today. We were all very quiet.”

http://www.montrealgazette.com/Friends+family+hold+vigil+Gatineau+homicide+victim/5305573/story.html

August 26, 2011 - Gatineau, Que., cops are looking for links between the homicide of 18-year-old Valerie Leblanc and three attempted abductions of young women in June.

"We are looking at (the suspect)," one detective said Friday near the woods behind the CEGEP campus where Leblanc's body was found Tuesday.

Cops say Leblanc died from "severe head trauma," but aren't releasing any other details of the grisly slaying.


Valerie Leblanc's beaten and burned body
was found in Gatineau on Aug. 23, 2011.

"If there are things that must be communicated to the population concerning safety, we will do that," said police spokesman Sgt. J.P. Lemay.

In June, police released a sketch of a man they say tried to abduct three different women on the evening of June 8. In each case, the man targeted women in their 20s.

He's described as white, in his late 30s and between 5-foot-11 and 6-feet tall, with a muscular build. He was driving a grey Ford Focus.


"Maybe his crimes are getting worse ... Escalating," the detective said.

Police are examining surveillance footage from the college to see if they can spot the Ford Focus in the area, but the detective said the man isn't the sole focus of the investigation.

Lemay also stressed no links have been found to date and there are "no indications of something serial right now."

"We are looking at all possibilities," he said.

Police have no suspects in Leblanc's death, something her cousin Pascal Durand said has turned the family upside down.

"I hope they catch the bastard," he said, at one point overcome with emotion. "I hope he gets the same."

Cops are also looking to other jurisdictions for any cases that might bear some similarities with Leblanc's death.

The investigation was hampered, however, because cops believe somebody tampered with Leblanc's body at the scene.

A second investigation is underway and charges of causing an indignity to a human body and obstructing the work of a police officer are pending against four people.

"They have compromised our investigation," Lemay said, adding cops face a lot of challenges in cracking the case.

Meantime, as cops step up patrols in the area, Lemay encouraged people to remain vigilant.

Though they cleared the scene Friday afternoon, police will remain there through the weekend from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. should anyone have any information.

Charlotte Dupuis, one of dozens of people interviewed by police so far, says she saw a man leaving the woods before Leblanc's body was found.

"I just know that it was a man, white. I'm sure he was in the CEGEP, so probably 18, 19," said Dupuis, who was sitting in her parked car sometime between noon and 1 p.m. Tuesday.

People can also call police at 819-243-2346, ext. 6677.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2011/08/24/18595136.html

August 31, 2011 - Despite having no suspects, Gatineau's police chief is confident his squad will find Valerie Leblanc's killer.

"There is a lot of work that has been done since day one," chief Mario Harel said during a press conference at Gatineau city hall Tuesday.

"We are investigating each lead."

Police set up a command post at the college Tuesday, hoping to score more leads, and Harel is asking the public to keep the tips coming in.

No arrests have been made after Leblanc, 18, was found beaten and burned in the woods behind the CEGEP de l'Outaouais campus Aug. 23.

The Gatineau squad is partnering with Quebec provincial police and Ottawa police as they tackle the city's first homicide of the year.

The news of no arrest provides little comfort for Huguette Leblanc, Valerie's grandmother, as she prepares for the Aug. 31 funeral.

"We have lots of crying to do," she said, explaining the family hasn't had a chance to properly grieve.

"When you lose somebody, you're in sorrow. You live that, you know, the pain."

Leblanc told QMI Agency she's thankful journalists have been "respectful" when contacting her family.

When the phone rings and a reporter is at the other end, "each time it's like a knife that goes through the heart," she said, crying.

"We need you too, for information."

News of Valerie's murder has spread as far as Europe.

"We have a lot of comfort from people all around the world," she said.

A blow to the head killed Leblanc but cops say her body was tampered with afterward.

That interference has compromised the investigation, leading to a separate case where charges of causing an indignity to a human body and obstructing the work of a police officer are pending against four people.

Right now, "we are focusing on the murder investigation," said Harel, also reiterating his "sincere condolences" to the Leblanc family.

Last week, there were reports Leblanc's slaying may be linked to three attempted abductions of young women in June but that notion was dismissed by cops Monday.

Harel said he's certain his experienced team will catch a break.

Anyone with information can get in touch with police via a Facebook page called "Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau," or the hotline (819) 243-2346 ext. 6677.

Leblanc's funeral is at Cathédrale Saint-Joseph in Hull at 2 p.m. Wednesday.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Crime/2011/08/31/18621431.html


Facebook: Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau

Gatineau police release description of possible witness in slaying of CEGEP student
September 01, 2011


Gatineau Police Sgt J P Le May (left) and Pierre Lanthier holds a press
briefing about the Valerie Leblanc murder case
Photograph by: Chris Mikula, The Ottawa Citizen

Gatineau police have released a description of a man they’re calling the main witness in the slaying of Valérie Leblanc and warned women not to walk alone in the area where the killing occurred.

At a news conference in Gatineau Thursday morning, Sgt. J.P. Le May and Const. Pierre Lanthier said the witness they’re looking for is a white man in his 20s with short black hair, no facial hair and a chubby build. Witnesses told police he was walking with a mountain bike near the crime scene in the woods behind the CEGEP de l’Outaouais Gabrielle-Roy campus in Gatineau on Aug. 23, the day Leblanc’s remains were found beaten and burned.

An autopsy revealed that Leblanc died from head injuries.

Le May and Lanthier said the main witness is not currently considered a suspect, but police want to talk to him to determine whether he was involved in the murder or saw someone who was.

“We have a good description of him right now, and maybe with more information from the public, from the hotline, we might be able to have more,” Lanthier said.

Le May and Lanthier also announced a parallel investigation into tampering with Leblanc’s body has cleared three of the four young suspects, who were the first to find her remains and became suspects after interviews with police. Information on the fourth person is being submitted for possible criminal charges, though police emphasized that person is not considered a suspect in the homicide.

Police will submit the findings of their investigation to the Crown attorney’s office in the next few days, Le May and Lanthier said. They expected the Crown to take anywhere between two days and a week to decide whether or not to lay charges after receiving the findings.

The new information comes just one day after the 18-year-old’s funeral service, and just two days after a media briefing where Gatineau Police Chief Mario Harel told reporters that his force is doing everything it can to find the person responsible for the killing of the CEGEP student.

Le May and Lanthier gave a detailed description of the witness, but said they were unable to provide a composite sketch because the man was wearing a baseball cap and walking with his head down.

They described the man as standing about six feet tall, weighing about 200 pounds with a chubby face and a pointy nose and chin. The witness has tanned, olive skin and a build police described as naturally strong, but not athletic.

Le May and Lanthier said the man was wearing an open, black nylon jacket, a black T-shirt that may have had a red and gold logo, black pants and a black cap with a rounded visor. He was walking purposefully and seemed to be worried, they said.

Lanthier said it was “hard to say” whether the man is dangerous.

The two officers warned people, especially women, to take precautions while walking in woods near the crime scene. They advised people to bring a whistle and a cellphone and tell someone where they’re going.

“Be careful, because the investigation is not over yet. Walk with somebody else, do not walk alone. If you see something, don’t hesitate to call the police force, 911. They’ll take it seriously,” Lanthier said.

Anyone with information can contact the Gatineau police via their special tip line at 814-243-2346 ext. 6677, and the force’s Facebook site, “Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau.”

So far, police have said that they have no suspects.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Gatineau+police+release+description+possible+witness+slaying+CEGEP+student/5339117/story.html

Gatineau police resume search at scene of Leblanc slaying
September 14, 2011

Gatineau police were back in the woods behind the school where they found Valerie Leblanc’s beaten and burned remains on Aug. 23 as the investigation continued Wednesday.


The body of Valerie Leblanc, 18, was found Aug. 23 in
the woods behind the CEGEP de l’Outaouais Gabrielle-Roy campus in Gatineau.

Police are still without a suspect three weeks after the 18-year-old CEGEP student was murdered. On Sept. 1, they released a description of a man they referred to as a main witness, who was seen walking with a mountain bike on a path behind the school around the time Leblanc’s remains were found.

Police say they’ve received dozens of tips since releasing the description, but are still looking for the man.

Police still have yet to refer the results of a parallel investigation into possible tampering with Leblanc’s remains to the crown. The investigation cleared three of the four suspects of criminal wrongdoing, but the fourth may face charges.

Gatineau police spokesman Pierre Lanthier said the investigators plan to send the file to the Crown within a week.

http://www.canada.com/sports/Gatineau+police+resume+search+scene+Leblanc+slaying/5401268/story.html

Police to release sketch in teen slaying
September 19, 2011

Gatineau police are working on a composite sketch of a person of interest in Valerie Leblanc’s murder.
The 18-year-old’s beaten and burned body was discovered on Aug. 23 on a trail behind CEGEP de l’Outaouais. An autopsy revealed she died of severe head trauma.

Police also say they have received new tips over the past few days that will help them in their investigation. The tips will be evaluated before the sketch is released, they said.

http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/974083--news-in-brief

Crown to consider charges of tampering with body in Valerie Leblanc homicide, Gatineau police say
September 21, 2011

Gatineau police have referred the results of their investigation into possible tampering with the body of slain CEGEP student Valerie Leblanc to the Crown attorney’s office for possible charges.

On Sept. 1, police announced that a parallel investigation into tampering with Leblanc’s body had cleared three out of four suspects of criminal wrongdoing. They said they planned to hand the file over to the Crown attorney within a week, who would decide whether to lay charges against the fourth person.

Gatineau police spokesman Pierre Lanthier said it took police three weeks to hand over the file because they received new information after making the announcement.

“It’s not each day you see a file like that,” he said. “They want to make sure they have all the details.”

Lanthier would not say what the nature of the new information was.

Police are still without a suspect in the murder of 18-year-old Valerie Leblanc, whose beaten and burned remains were found behind the Gabrielle Roy campus of the CEGEP de l’Outaouais on Aug. 23. On Tuesday, police said they hoped to release soon a composite sketch of a man seen walking a mountain bicycle in the woods near the crime scene after receiving new tips.

Read more

Gatineau police release sketch, offer reward in Leblanc slaying
Mother pleads for help to solve Aug. 23 killing of CEGEP student
October 13, 2011


Valerie Leblanc’s mother, Julie Charron, joined Gatineau police for a press
conference Thursday to try to drum up information in the case of her daughter’s homicide.

Gatineau police released a sketch Thursday of a man they say is an important witness in the Valerie Leblanc homicide and offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case.

Leblanc, 18, was found beaten and burned in a wooded area behind the CEGEP de l’Outaouais’ Gabrielle-Roy campus on Aug 23. An autopsy revealed that Leblanc died from head injuries.

Leblanc’s mother, Julie Charron, pleaded with the public Thursday to take a close look at the sketch of the man police have been trying to find for more than a month.

“Think about people close to you, or all the people you meet in your neighbourhood. Look at your neighbours, your children’s friends, your co-workers, the customers at your business, the cyclists or runners that you have met in Gatineau,” Charron said in French.

“Someone, somewhere, knows who he is, where he lives. If everyone helps us, we will find this person.”

Charron said Thursday her life changed forever on Aug. 23 when her daughter was found dead. Although it was difficult for Charron, she spoke Thursday to help police in their quest to find her daughter’s killer.

“The past weeks have been very difficult for Valerie’s family and friends. The 23rd of August will be carved forever in our memory,” Charron said in French. “That’s the day when someone took the life of my daughter, my little Valerie, my ray of sunshine, for no reason.”

Charron encouraged the man to come forward to speak with police, which she believes will help move the investigation forward.

The man police want to talk to Leblanc’s death was wearing a black baseball cap when he was spotted walking a bike near the murder scene.

Police say the man has high cheek bones, thick eye brows, short, dark hair, an olive complexion, a chubby face and a pointy nose and chin.

The man stands about six feet tall and weighs roughly 200 pounds. Witnesses described the man as having an “intimidating and disturbing look in his eyes,” but police say he is not considered a suspect.

On Sept. 1, police first released a description of the man who they say was seen walking with a mountain bike on a path behind the school around the time Leblanc’s remains were found.

Police said they received dozens of tips since releasing the description last month, but appealed to the public for help identifying him again on Thursday.

Police have canvassed the area behind the college several times, looking for witnesses who might have been travelling the same paths the week of Leblanc’s death.

Police also set up a command post near the crime scene. Officers patrolled the area on bicycles and anyone with information was invited to meet with police in person during that time.

A parallel investigation into possible tampering with Leblanc’s body has been referred to the Crown attorney’s office for possible charges after three out of four suspects in that case were cleared of criminal wrongdoing.

Leblanc’s grandmother, Huguette Leblanc, said last month she was frustrated by how slow the investigation appeared to be moving.

“It seems like it took a long time to me, if it’s true they tampered with the body. We’ve been waiting for a long time for that, along with the composite sketch,” she said. “It has been a very long time since the police have come to us with news. We learn about everything from the newspapers. We learn at the same time as everybody else.”

Still, she said she remained optimistic police would find her granddaughter’s killer. In the meantime, though, she said the Leblanc family was still grieving deeply.

“It has been very hard on the family. Our hearts are broken,” she said. Anyone with information can contact the Gatineau police via a special tip line at 814-243-2346, ext. 6677, and the force’s Facebook site, “Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau.”

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Gatineau+police+release+sketch+Val%C3%A9rie+Leblanc+case/5544916/story.html

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=282024025156216&set=a.268378936520725.73272.258889977469621&type=1&ref=nf

The investigation in the murder of Valérie Leblanc progresses: composite drawing of an important witness and 10K reward
by Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 3:41pm

PRESS RELEASE
For immediate distribution

The investigation in the murder of Valérie Leblanc progresses:
A composite drawing of an important witness was released at the same time as a 10 000$ reward.

Gatineau, October 13th, 2011 – The Gatineau Police Service released today the sketch of the main witness to be identified in the investigation of the murder of Valerie Leblanc and announced a reward of up to $ 10,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible(s) of this crime.

In order to encourage people with information to contact the police, the mother of Valerie, Ms. Julie Charron, took this opportunity to deliver a message from her heart to the media and population during a press conference of the Gatineau Police Service that was held Thursday, October 13, at 11 am, at the Maison du Citoyen.

Mrs. Charron said with emotion: « I beg everyone to take one minute to look carefully at the composite picture of the important witness. Think about it. Look at your neighbors, family, friends or your children, employees, clients or anyone you might have seen in the Gatineau Parc that could look alike. If you have any doubt, or think of even just a small detail that could have any link with that witness of the horrible murder of my daughter, please call the police right now! It could make a difference. »

Important witness : a revealing sketch

In response to numerous reports from the public and the progress of the investigation, police and experts were able to produce a composite drawing of the important witness who is wanted since September 1st.

The key witness was seen near the site of the tragedy, the day of the murder of the young Valerie Leblanc, as well as near the pavilion Gabrielle-Roy of CEGEP de l'Outaouais. We believe he may hold important information that could contribute to the progress of the investigation.

The white man, who speaks French without an accent, would be between 20 and 35 years old. He measures about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet (1.78 to 1.83 m) and weighs approximately 200 pounds or more (90 kg or more). The man, of strong natural built, has a small belly, but is not obese. Observers noted that he has big hands.

He is chubby, has high cheekbones and has a pointy nose and chin. His eyebrows are thick and has dark hair. We believe that his hair is short, but since he was wearing a cap, it can be otherwise

Witnesses reported that the man had a slightly olive complexion. The complexion was described as particular, as if, for example, he was not healthy.

At the time of the murder on August 23rd, the important witness had neither a beard nor a mustache. Obviously, the Gatineau Police Service advises people to look carefully at the general characteristics of the sketch since the man was able, in recent weeks, to change his appearance, including his hair color.

The look in the eyes of the important witness was qualified of intimidating and disturbing to witnesses. He created a fear in people who crossed his path.

At the time of the crime, he wore a black cap with a rounded visor (customized to his face).

Finally, the man had a black mountain bike with straight handlebars . The bike was equipped with mountain or hybrid tires.

Reward of up to $ 10 000

Thanks to generous anonymous donors, the Sun Youth organization is offering a reward of up to $ 10,000 to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer of Valerie Leblanc.

Any information provided leading to the award will be analyzed and validated by Gatineau Police Service. The reward offer expires April 12, 2012.

Do not assume that police already have information you have

People are often reluctant to provide information to police. Sometimes they consider details as trivial or are worried about disturbing the investigators for fear of being judged or sending them on the wrong track. The Gatineau Police Service wants to explain to people that when they begin to question themselves whether the information is of interest to police, be it a detail that struck them or a person they know that looks like the important witness; this is an indication to contact police. Certain information that may seem unimportant may constitute a missing link.

In addition, the public should know that anyone who contacts the Gatineau Police Service may request remain anonymous. The information provided is strictly confidential and, contrary to popular belief, the person transmitting the information will not have to testify or appear in court.

Dedicated line and posters available on the Internet

To communicate information, the public is invited to contact the Gatineau Police Service via the dedicated line to the investigation of the murder of Valerie Leblanc, at 819 243-2346 ext 6677. A specially trained officer will respond or they can leave a message on voice mail. An email address is also displayed on the Facebook page of SPVG.

Posters of the composite picture and details of the reward are available on the Facebook page of the Gatineau Police Service.

Police and volunteers will distribute and display posters in shops in the Mont-Bleu area and in some strategic locations. (Hull, Gatineau).

Source : Service de police de la Ville de Gatineau


The white man, who speaks French without an accent, would be between 20 and 35 years old.
He measures about 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet (1.78 to 1.83 m) and weighs approximately 200 pounds or more (90 kg or more).
The man, of strong natural built, has a small belly, but is not obese.
Observers noted that he has big hands. He is chubby, has high cheekbones and has a pointy nose and chin. His eyebrows are thick and has dark hair. We believe that his hair is short, but since he was wearing a cap, it can be otherwise Witnesses reported that the man had a slightly olive complexion. The complexion was described as particular, as if, for example, he was not healthy.
At the time of the murder on August 23rd, the important witness had neither a beard nor a mustache. Obviously, the Gatineau Police Service advises people to look carefully at the general characteristics of the sketch since the man was able, in recent weeks, to change his appearance, including his hair color.
The look in the eyes of the important witness was qualified of intimidating and disturbing to witnesses.
He created a fear in people who crossed his path. At the time of the crime, he wore a black cap with a rounded visor (customized to his face).
Finally, the man had a black mountain bike with straight handlebars . The bike was equipped with mountain or hybrid tires.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/service-de-police-de-la-ville-de-gatineau/the-investigation-in-the-murder-of-val%C3%A9rie-leblanc-progresses-composite-drawing-/282134225145196

Gatineau teen death probe targets rehab centre
November 15, 2011


Valerie Leblanc, 18, was found dead in a forest behind her CEGEP Tuesday, Aug. 23.

A community rehabilitation centre in Gatineau, Que., is accusing police of crossing the line in their investigation into the death of Valérie Leblanc, 18.

Management at the Centre d'intervention et de prévention en toxicomanie de l'Outaouais in Gatineau revealed to Radio-Canada that police sent a letter requesting the names of patients over a three-month period.


The Centre d'intervention et de prévention en toxicomanie
de l'Outaouais in Gatineau was targeted by police, according to a
letter obtained by Radio-Canada. (Google Streetview)

The letter, which was obtained from the centre's executive director Yves Séguin, was sent by Gatineau police dated Sept. 9. It requested a full list of men aged between 20 and 30 who passed through the centre over a three-month period.

There are still no suspects in the investigation after Leblanc's body was found badly beaten and burned in a forest behind Cégep de l'Outaouais in Gatineau Aug. 23.

A sketch of a key witness was revealed Oct. 14 and tips poured in soon after.

The centre, which is located at 92 St-Jacques Road, does not reveal names of any patients and respects the confidentiality of those who attended the centre, Séguin added.

Gatineau police denied any letters were sent to the centre as part of the investigation.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2011/11/15/ottawa-gatineau-valerie-leblanc-rehab-centre.html