Double Murder and Missing Persons Cases Lead Police Investigations in Quebec

Police authorities in Quebec are handling multiple high-profile investigations, including a double homicide in Rivière-du-Loup, a missing person case in Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac, and an arrest related to child pornography in L’Isle-Verte.

The most severe incident occurred late Thursday night, just before 11:00 p.m., near a restaurant parking lot at the intersection of Cartier Boulevard and Plourde Street in Rivière-du-Loup. Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving multiple reports of gunfire. Responding officers discovered two young women severely wounded inside a stationary vehicle.

According to police spokespersons Audrey-Ann Bilodeau and Béatrice D’Orsainville representing the Sûreté du Québec, one victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second victim succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival at the regional hospital. The victims are identified in reports as being 19 and 24 years of age and originating from the Bas-Saint-Laurent region, with local sources indicating their names are Noémie Dionne and Cassandre Hamel Hardy. Investigators suspect the shooting was a targeted attack, though no arrests have been made as forensic teams and the provincial police's crimes against persons unit examine the scene.

Local residents reported hearing multiple loud bangs that initially sounded like fireworks. Witness accounts noted seeing dark-colored vehicles fleeing the area in opposite directions immediately following the gunshots. Officials noted that these are the first homicides to occur in the Rivière-du-Loup territory in thirteen years, leaving the local community in deep shock.

In a separate ongoing search, the Sûreté du Québec has asked for public assistance in locating Philippe Morin, a 73-year-old resident of Témiscouata-sur-le-Lac. Family members have expressed serious concerns for his health and safety after he went missing on Thursday afternoon, October 22.

Authorities reported that Morin was last seen leaving a business on Commerciale South Street around 4:15 p.m. driving a silver 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe. He stands approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighs 150 pounds, and is bald with a few white hairs and blue eyes. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is urged to contact emergency services at 911 or the criminal information central line.

In a third separate case, provincial police arrested Michel Côté, a 73-year-old man from L’Isle-Verte, on charges of possessing and making accessible child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The alleged offenses took place in April 2026, and the suspect appeared before the court in Rivière-du-Loup on the day of his arrest. Investigators have encouraged anyone possessing additional information regarding his activities to contact the confidential police tip line.