Montreal man charged with 1st degree murder in fatal stabbing of 24-year-old woman

A 36-year-old man is facing a first-degree murder charge after a woman was stabbed to death in the Milton Park neighbourhood Tuesday afternoon. François Pelletier appeared at the Montreal courthouse this afternoon. 

The victim has been identified as 24-year-old Romane Bonnier, a singer and actor who graduated from Marianopolis College four years ago. 

Montreal police (SPVM) said an altercation between Pelletier and Bonnier occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Aylmer Street near Milton Street in the Plateau-Mont-Royal borough. The man then stabbed the woman several times in the upper body.

She was rushed to hospital in critical condition where she was declared dead soon after arrival.

Pelletier was arrested at the scene. He will remain in custody until his next court appearance scheduled for Nov. 25. 

Véronique Dubuc, spokesperson for the SPVM, said that, despite the investigation being at the preliminary stage, elements indicate that the homicide appears to be a case of conjugal violence.

Dubuc said police would only specify that the victim and suspect were former roommates.

When reached for comment, Bonnier's alma mater said: "This is indeed very sad news. Ms. Bonnier graduated from the College in 2017. Support measures will be offered to our community."

Frédérique Mazerolle, a spokesperson for McGill University, which is near the scene of the  stabbing, said she could not confirm whether the suspect and the victim were connected to the university because the investigation is ongoing.

This death marks the 26th homicide on the SPVM's territory this year. If it is related to domestic violence, it would be the 17th time this year that a woman was killed by an intimate partner.