Gatineau Police in Quebec have apprehended a suspect linked to the homicide of Valérie Leblanc, over 14 years since the discovery of the teenager’s body in the woods behind a school in Hull. Stéphane Rivard, aged 51, is charged with first-degree murder, as announced by Gatineau Police (SPVG) on Tuesday. Chief Simon Fournier expressed hope that the news would bring some solace to Leblanc’s family.
Rivard, a familiar figure to law enforcement, was taken into custody earlier on Tuesday and is scheduled to appear before a judge on Wednesday, according to Chief Inspector Mathieu Guilbault. The identification of the suspect was facilitated by novel investigative methodologies, as stated by Guilbault.
In an interview with CBC, Guilbault emphasized the unwavering dedication of detectives over the past 14 years in resolving the case, refraining from divulging further details to avoid influencing the upcoming legal proceedings.
Valérie Leblanc, aged 18, was discovered on August 23, 2011, near a trail in the vicinity of Cégep de l’Outaouais’ Gabrielle-Roy campus, where she was a student. The initial discovery of her body by fellow students led to mistaken identity due to her injured legs.
Upon examination, it was evident that Leblanc had suffered severe physical injuries and was subsequently incinerated. The coroner’s report confirmed her cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head.
Following her tragic demise, authorities released a composite sketch of an unidentified “key witness.” Despite extensive efforts, including a $10,000 reward and numerous tips, the recent arrest marks the first significant progress in the case.
Community leaders expressed relief and remembrance for Valérie, with Cégep de l’Outaouais’ Director General, Steve Brabant, and Gatineau Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette acknowledging the impact of the arrest on the local populace.
