If a pathologist was unable to determine the cause of death of the two children found lifeless in a condo in Brossard two years ago, it is obvious that their mother was murdered before them, contrary to what was suggested yesterday the father, during his trial for murders.
• Also read: Defense theory for the triple murder in Brossard: what if it was the mother who killed her children?
Synthia Bussières had no luck on the evening of September 24, 2022. She was stabbed 23 times, in the face, the back of the head, but also in the neck. The woman also had several injuries to her hands. These are defensive wounds of a victim who tried to disarm his attacker.
His left carotid artery was damaged. An injury that definitely leads to death, in “less than 10 minutes”, unless it occurs “in an emergency room”, launched the Dr Yann Dazé, forensic pathologist.
It was he who carried out the autopsies on the body of the 38-year-old woman, as well as those of her children, Zac, 2 years old, and Eliam, 5 years old.
Family photo of Mohamad Al Ballouz and the victims, found in the condo COURTESY OF THE COURT
COURTESY OF THE COURT
They were found dead in their Brossard condo.
No natural deaths
The father and partner of the victims, Mohamad Al Ballouz, was also there, alive.
He now identifies as a woman and goes by the name Levana Ballouz.
Drawing of the accused, aged 38, during her trial at the Longueuil courthouse.
COURTESY Alex S. Girard
Surprising fact: the autopsy carried out on the kids turned out to be “blank”, meaning that it was impossible to determine the cause of death. The little ones had no trace of violence, drugs, or carbon monoxide. They weren’t sick.
But one thing is certain: they were murdered.
“Children aged 2 and 5 do not die of natural causes at the same time,” insisted the Dr Daze.
Synthia Bussières, with her two children, Éliam and Zac. Photo courtesy family of victims
Sylvie Guertin
What if it was Synthia Bussieres who killed the two kids? And that she then tried to attack her husband?
This is what the defense suggested Monday, during cross-examination of a forensic biologist. The accused, who represents herself, questions the witnesses herself.
However, Dr. Dazé comes to the “logical conclusion” that the woman was killed long before the children.
Killed with a pillow?
Indeed, when the firefighters arrived after midnight, the boys’ bodies were still warm.
The woman was stiff. However, a child’s body will become rigid much more quickly than an adult’s due to their smaller muscle mass.
The doctor also believes that Synthia Bussières could have died around 8:30 p.m. At that time, a neighbor had heard angry screams coming from the home where the tragedy took place.
Is it possible that the children were asphyxiated with a pillow?
Photo of pillow found at crime scene COURTESY OF THE COURT
COURTESY OF THE COURT
The Crown prosecutor, Me Laurence Lamoureux even showed the doctor a photo of a piece of bedding found at the scene of the crimes. We see traces of blood belonging to the father.
A handprint is also visible there, a police officer said a few days ago.
According to the pathologist, it would in fact be impossible to detect that this soft object had been used since it leaves no trace on the skin.
The Crown announced Tuesday that its case is closed.
