The arson that killed seven people in a building in Old Montreal last March apparently occurred after a conflict between a pimp and a customer. But the investigation is seriously stalled due to police mistakes.
• Also read – Tragedy in Old Montreal: The fire was started by criminals
Our Bureau of Investigation has learned that in September the Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal’s (SPVM) Major Crimes Unit arrested and released a man they believe is the perpetrator of Montreal’s deadliest fire in 48 years.
As we have learned from very well-informed sources, the man allegedly set fire to one of the units of the historic building on Place d’Youville because he was dissatisfied with the sexual services of a pimp.
SIDNEY DAGENAIS/AGENCE QMI
Many within the SPVM expected a quick indictment, but the case would have become significantly more complicated.
“Things are really not going well. “The devil is against serious crimes,” one of our police sources told us on condition of anonymity as she is not authorized to speak to the media.
Unacceptable error
According to our information, the investigator who was originally tasked with solving the tragedy obtained incriminating evidence through procedural violations.
In particular, we learned, he confiscated and searched a cell phone without a search warrant.
A prosecutor who is not involved in this case and is asked to comment does not understand that such a mistake could have been made.
“This is unacceptable. He should have known that an arrest warrant was required. This is even more true for such a serious crime,” said the prosecutor, who called for her identity to be protected.
According to our information, the police also made another mistake. She arrested the suspect at his home, but without an entry warrant, which is the appropriate standard in such circumstances.
Inexperienced investigator
The investigator’s choice to investigate this complex crime would have also raised several questions for the Montreal police. According to our sources, this investigator was not one of the most experienced in serious crimes.
Former SPVM inspector André Durocher observes a certain lack of depth within this sensitive Montreal police investigative unit.
“Retirements reduce the survey experience,” he explains.
According to him, “investigators want to work on fewer and fewer serious crimes because the workload there is very demanding.”
Deaths, investigations and prosecutions
March 16, 2023: A violent fire destroys a 15-unit building on Place D’Youville. Of the 22 people present inside, there were 7 dead and 9 injured.
March 31: The father of Nathan Sears, one of the victims, files a $22 million class action lawsuit against the building’s owner, Émile Benamor, and Airbnb, a platform through which rooms in the building were rented.
August 28: Montreal police announce that they are treating the fire as the result of a crime. “Traces of accelerant were found, which may have helped explain the speed at which the fire spread,” explains the SPVM. In addition, a criminal investigation is underway into possible negligence regarding the condition of the building.
September 15: The family of one of the victims, Charlie Lacroix, sues the city, as well as the landlord of the Airbnb rooms and the building’s owner, for $1.5 million.
September 16: Owner Émile Benamor files a $7.5 million lawsuit against the city of Montreal. In particular, he claims that the number of firefighters was inadequate and that certain city standards regarding listed buildings contributed to the fire’s outbreak.
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