The dream of a better life in Canada ended in bloodshed for a woman of Filipino origin who was allegedly shot dead in her sleep by her husband, a possessive and jealous octogenarian, on Sunday in Mont-Tremblant.
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“She was afraid of him and was very restricted in her outings, says Joanne Lévesque, a good friend and co-worker of the victim. She hid her pain well, but recently she opened up more because she told me that he was yelling at her and following her.
Melbita Devoe was hit by at least one gunshot to the head while she was asleep in her bed, according to our information.
Alerted by neighbors who heard the explosion, the police went to the couple’s apartment in a retirement complex on rue Saint-Roch. The 51-year-old victim was rushed to the hospital center, where she finally succumbed to her injuries, the Sûreté du Québec confirmed on Wednesday.
In a wheelchair
Her husband, with whom she had been living in this retirement complex for about a year, was arrested by investigators shortly after and appeared at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse on Monday. If Bernard Melvin Devoe, 83, was initially facing charges of attempted murder, it is highly likely that these will now turn into a murder charge. The man, who uses a wheelchair, has no criminal record. He remains detained pending further proceedings and is due back in court on Friday.
Melbita Devoe met the suspect in the Philippines and became his wife in 2019. According to the victim’s work colleagues, their union was more a way for the octogenarian to obtain a form of natural caregiver, he who presented with major health issues.
“She was in a precarious situation there and he took the opportunity to bring her here and take her away from all her family. She was alone here,” said a colleague who preferred to remain anonymous.
Not a bit of malice
The 50-year-old loved her work in the kitchen at the Grand Lodge Mont-Tremblant hotel. Despite her marital problems, she always came home to work with a big smile. She didn’t have a hint of mischief and was loved by everyone, says her friend Joanne Lévesque. Her job was an “escape” for her since she wanted to see her husband as little as possible.
“She refused to let him come and take her to work and preferred to take the bus,” said Ms.me Levesque. The quicker she could get out of her house, the better. And in the evening, she was always afraid to return home. She was a very shy person, but I managed to get the worms out of her.”
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