Pierre-Luc Larouche died at the Douglas Mental Health University Insitute after “maneuvers” were made on him by the staff. (Photo from Facebook)

Puvirnituq man dies after ‘manoeuvres’ at Montreal mental health institute

Montreal police launch investigation after death of 39-year-old Pierre-Luc Larouche

By Cedric Gallant - Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A 39-year-old Puvirnituq man died at a Montreal mental health facility after hospital staff had done what police called “manoevres” on a patient.

The man who died was Pierre-Luc Larouche, a Montreal police spokesperson told Nunatsiaq News. Nunavik Police services then confirmed that he was from Puvirnituq. 

Police officers arrived at the Douglas Mental Health University Institute on Tuesday, around 9:30 a.m.

“Police arrived, and there was a man on the ground,” said Montreal police service spokesperson Const. Jean-Pierre Brabant, speaking in French in an interview.

During the call, it was mentioned to police that “manoeuvres had been made on a patient at the hospital,” Brabant said in French.

“Treatments were done on the victim, but unfortunately, his death was confirmed on site.”

“An investigation has been opened by the [Montreal police service]. The file was taken by the major crime section,” he added. “The coroner’s office is involved in this investigation. 

“Investigators, at the moment, will attempt to reach witnesses to seek a cause for the death of the man,” Brabant said. 

Montreal West Island Integrated University Health and Social Services Centre is Quebec’s Ministry of Health subdivision that’s responsible for the mental health institute. 

Its spokesperson Hélène Bergeron-Gamache said in a French email that “we wish to offer our sincerest condolences to the family and close ones of the person who passed away.” 

“The employee assistance program was deployed on Tuesday at the site for the team involved,” she added. “Support is also being offered to the patients.” 

“We will be keeping a watchful eye over the next few days so that we can offer them any support they may need.” 

Bergeron-Gamache confirmed that the organization is also conducting an internal investigation “to shine light on the events.” 

Share This Story

(5) Comments:

  1. Posted by Inu on

    I’m very sorry to hear that, condolences and sympathies to the family of his. What kind of “maneuvers” are they really saying about? This is really concerning.

    18
    5
  2. Posted by Concerned on

    What a tragic death he didn’t deserve to pass away this way nor does his family deserve to bury him. They need justice. I hope the staff who were involved in the “manoeuvre” are held accountable for their actions! What a loss for nunavik. My condolences to all of his family his children and friends.

    12
    11
    • Posted by Please make it stop on

      You can always count on social media eliciting over-confident analysis, proclamations and judgement on situations almost nothing is truly known about.

      21
      5
  3. Posted by Bernie Adams on

    My Heart felt Condolences to his family. I am sadden to have read this NN article. It brought back and opened the traumatic scars that is in my heart about my Handsome 19 year old son, Robert Matthew Dakota Adams who was brutally murdered on March 19, 2018. My son was murdered by a patient in the Douglas Mental Hospital where he was being evaluated for his violent tendencies. Instead of the representatives at the Douglas Mental Hospital keeping this violent know man in the mental hospital, they decided to speak with family members at his hometown and asked them if their brother or son could stay with them because he was uncomfortable staying in a mental hospital. I blame the Quebec Health Minister, Quebec Health Board and Nunavik Regional Health Board and Social Service to agreeing to allow this violent person to return back to society when they knew he was capable of reoffending violently. I wish I were a rich Inuk man who could hire a civil lawyer and lay a civil action law suit against Douglas Mental Hospital, Nunavik Regional Board and Health and Social Services, CLSC, Quebec Ministry of Health and or any other organization that past the buck or swept the violent tendencies that the murderer of my son was capable of doing and committing. If this has happened to me and my family, how many other families has these health organizations harmed by allowing violent people out of the mental hospitals in Quebec. Love from a Grieving Father

    11
    3
    • Posted by annyhc on

      I am so sorry for your loss.

Comments are closed.