The discovery of a body in the Ottawa River has shocked residents of a picturesque Gatineau neighbourhood.
“It’s scary,” said retiree Monique Lajeunesse, who lives in Templeton.
Gatineau police are investigating after the dead man was pulled by firefighters from the water around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, in front of 959 Hurtubise Blvd., west of the Marina Leblanc & Fils.
Sgt. Yohann Neunier said it’s “too early to comment” on whether foul play is suspected.
A Gatineau man, who didn’t want to be identified, told the Sun he spotted the body at 3:59 p.m. while out on a boat with his two young kids.
“We were having a good time (fishing),” he said. “You second guess yourself. Was that just a plastic bag? Should I go closer?”
The man’s body was fully clothed and face down on the Ottawa side of the water, at Lower Duck Island, he said.
He phoned 911.
“I saw the back of his head, he had missing patches of hair,” he said. “He’s bloated. Looked like he’s been out there awhile.”
Three uniform policemen and a plainclothes detective were on the scene.
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Kelly Roche - Storyteller 