Wanted since before Christmas for a case of extreme domestic violence, the man who threw his car into the Richelieu River with his injured ex-partner on board probably drowned, the QMI Agency learned.
• Also read: A case of extreme domestic violence in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu: the ex-spouse actively sought by the police
• Also read: Wanted for kidnapping and attempting to kill his ex-partner
This is at least the main police theory which would explain why Abdennour Maalala, 26 years old, has still not been located and has not given any sign of life since the events that occurred three weeks ago.
Early in the morning of December 20, Maalala allegedly showed up at the home of his ex-partner, in Mount Royal, on the island of Montreal.
He allegedly attacked the 23-year-old woman as she was preparing to leave for work.
Maalala allegedly sneakily attacked her in the interior garage of the apartment building and severely beat her. He also allegedly stabbed his ex-partner several times with a screwdriver.
The suspect then placed his semi-conscious ex-partner in the back seat of his vehicle and drove to the South Shore of Montreal.
About an hour later, while traveling on Chemin des Patriotes Est, in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Maalala intentionally left the road to throw the vehicle into the icy waters of the Richelieu River.
Maalala’s ex-partner was saved at the last minute by local firefighters. Wounded and suffering from hypothermia, the young woman survived her injuries.
-Maalala was last seen trying to swim back to shore.
“But at no time did anyone see him on dry land. He died in the river, that’s what everyone thinks here,” said a police source, who is not authorized to speak to the media.
The police had nevertheless done everything possible to prevent a potential escape by the suspect: a road block had been erected, a drone had flown over the area and the backyards of residences in the area had been inspected.
In light of the investigative elements found at the scene and the unsuccessful searches carried out following the events, the police authorities are today convinced that Abdennour Maalala never reached the bank and that he drowned in the Richelieu River.
As long as his body is not found, the investigation will remain active.
Abdennour Maalala allegedly tried to kill his ex-partner because he did not accept that she had decided to break up with him.
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