A Gatineau parolee has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of two of his neighbours whose bodies were found in separate units in the same Gatineau apartment complex within a 24-hour period.
A Gatineau police SWAT team arrested 35-year-old Patrick Lalonde Wednesday at 267 Rue de Malartic - the same building where the bodies of 53-year-old Johan Ayotte and 64-year-old Diane Johanette were found last week.
Lalonde was originally arrested as a person of interest in the case. He was also wanted for an assault at the Gatineau Hospital on May 16, as well as for breaching his parole. Now, police say Lalonde allegedly strangled his two neighbours to death.
"The suspect - Mr. Lalonde - appeared at the court for accusation of homicide," said Const. Isabelle Poirier of the Gatineau police.
Neighbours told CTV Ottawa they are relieved an arrest has finally been made.
"You hear on the news, it's Montreal, Ottawa and when it's near you - you start to worry," said one resident.
"It makes us feel better definitely," said another.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Natalie Johnson
