Quebec’s chief coroner launches a public inquiry into the deaths of unhoused individuals in Montreal. The effort seeks recommendations to enhance protections for vulnerable people and avert future losses.
Focus of the Investigation
Coroner Stéphanie Gamache heads the probe, targeting five deaths over the past seven months: 30-year-old Jennifer De Nobile, 46-year-old Marie Soleil Nantais, 71-year-old Valmont Brousseau, 55-year-old Alain Paris, and 57-year-old Serge Martin. These tragedies occurred between September 2025 and March 2026, each near month’s end.
Investigators may incorporate additional similar cases to shape the final findings.
The coroner’s office states: “The investigation will deliver an in-depth analysis of causes and circumstances, identify key factors, and spark wider discussion on challenges tied to this issue.”
Timing and Context
The announcement arrives days after Montreal officials reported two deaths within 24 hours on March 24 and 25 during a press conference. The coroner’s update references three deaths in that window, with possible overlap unclear.
Prior Work by Gamache
Gamache earlier led the review of Raphaël “Napa” André’s 2021 death, an Innu man experiencing homelessness in Montreal during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her report declared the outcome preventable and outlined 23 steps to reinforce support systems.
