Two convicted

Third figure in Aylmer’s double murder faces charges

Bulletin staff

Conflicting stories were laid out in court in late October in the trial of Ronald Junior Brazeau, now facing one count of manslaughter related to the 2014 double-murder in Aylmer.

The court heard from Sonia Vilon and René Samson Von Richter. Both explained their roles and acts in the gruesome deaths of Travis Voutour and Amanda Trottier  which happened January 6, 2014, at their Terrasse-Eardley home. Voutour and his girlfriend Amanda Trottier were found dead inside the home.

Vilon, in her early 40’s, is already serving a reduced 12-year sentence after accepting a plea deal for two counts of manslaughter in June. Von Richter, in his mid-20’s, who already pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Trottier's death and second-degree murder in Voutour's death, is serving a life sentence with a chance of parole after 15 years.

Police arrested Vilon and Von Richter after a 16-month investigation that raised the question of Ronald Junior Brazeau’s role in Travis Voutour’s murder. Police claim Brazeau headed a local drug trafficking network. Brazeau has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Voutour’s death, but never accepted blame for Trottier’s death.

During Brazeau’s trial, Vilon and Von Richter told the court that Brazeau indeed requested that Voutour be taught a lesson for crossing the drug network, primarily by stealing drugs and money.

On the fatal day, Vilon and Von Richter, after taking many hits of cocaine, headed to Terrasse-Eardley with one firearm.

In Vilon’s version, Amanda Trottier was the first they met, and Vilon claims to have shot her by accident. Von Richter then took the gun and proceeded to shoot Voutour. Then, according to Vilion, he shot Amanda a second time before leaving the crime scene.

In Von Richter’s version, he’s the one who shot both victims while Vilon stayed in the car. Von Richter, who knew both victims, explained that he entered the home saying he wanted to purchase cannabis. He told the court that Voutour had a firearm and was heading his way. That’s when he shot, first hitting Trottier and then Voutour. He shot them each a second time before leaving the home and returning to the vehicle where Vilon waited.

A 16-month investigation

Police arrested Vilon and Von Richter after a 16-month investigation which puts forth the theory that Ronald Junior Brazeau ordered Travis Voutour’s murder. Police had bugged all three suspects in the double murder.

A day later, Amanda Trottier’s father discovered the crime, and found Amanda’s three-year-old child upstairs, unscathed.

The SQ’s investigation, carried out in collaboration with Gatineau Police, contributed to dismantling the drug network that Voutour had seemingly antagonized.

According to the the late couple’s neighbour, Caitlin Green, there were telling signs that Voutour had been targeted. Before the fatal day, Voutour had received a number of threats from Brazeau’s clan. One day, two individuals circled the home looking through the windows.

 

Amanda Trottier and Travis Voutour were killed in their home, January 2014.    Photo: Facebook

 

SQ spokesperson Marc Tessier speaking to the media May 8, 2015 about their double murder investigation.
Photo: Bulletin Archives