UPDATE: Gatineau police identify father, two daughters in Aylmer murder-suicide

Following the discovery of three bodies — that of a father and his two daughters — in an Aylmer home, Gatineau police have concluded “beyond a reasonable doubt” that the two young girls were victims of a homicide committed by their father.

In an update from police Thursday evening, they say the father is believed to have committed the crime early on Wednesday. Officers have also confirmed the identities of the victims involved, as well as the father’s.

Officers were called to a home at 9 rue de Dunkerque for a well-being check around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22, and ended up finding the bodies of three people.

The victims are identified as Orli Kpatcha, 3, and Liel Kpatcha, 5. The girls’ bodies showed no signs of violence.

Gatineau police confirmed the identity of the father as Essodom Kpatcha, 51.

Police, its forensic identity service, as well as the autopsies at the Laboratory of Forensic Sciences and Forensic Medicine helped to determined the event was a double-murder followed by a suicide.

Gatineau police set up a crisis unit from the start of the investigation in order to offer the necessary psychological support to the police and civilian employees. It also collaborated with its partners in the schools and early childhood centres frequented by the victims to ensure that crisis units were set up there as well.

Gatineau police say anyone experiencing psychological distress is encouraged to seek help from resources like:

• Suicide.ca
• The Quebec suicide prevention line to the Outaouais at 1-866-277-3553, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• 24/7 help centre at 819-595-3476
• Quebec Association for Suicide Prevention
• Tel-Aide Outaouais at 819-775-3223
• Info Social at 811