Gatineau police seek witness in student's death

Police in Gatineau, Que., have released a description of a key witness that could assist the investigation into the death of Valerie Leblanc, a student whose burned and beaten body was found in woods behind her school last week.

They said they would not rule out the male witness as a suspect.

The 18-year-old's body was found Aug. 23 in a forest behind her school, CEGEP de l'Outaouais in the Hull sector of Gatineau.

The witness is described as a white man in his 20s, about six-feet-tall and 200 pounds, a chubby face, with short black hair, no facial hair and a tall, chubby build. He also had a summer tan "with a particular olive complexion."

The witness was wearing an open black, nylon jacket, along with a black T-shirt with a red and golden logo, a black cap, black wrinkled pants. He was walking decisively and looked worried.

The man also left the scene on a black mountain bike. Police say there is not enough information for a sketch because the man had his head down, looking at the ground.

An autopsy showed Leblanc died from severe head trauma, but her body was also found burned.

Leblanc was laid to rest Wednesday with about 500 family and friends in attendance at Cathédrale Saint-Joseph. Many wore fedoras to honour Leblanc, who was often seen wearing a hat while attending her CEGEP.

Police declared Tuesday they have no suspects in the investigation, but the Gatineau police chief defended his force saying he does not believe the case should be turned over to provincial police.

Police also announced they cleared three of four people in their second investigation into a possible manipulation of Leblanc's body after she was killed.

The case against the fourth suspect will be given to the Crown attorney who will decide if charges will be laid.

A hotline is still setup at 819-243-2346 (ext. 6677), for anyone with information related to the investigation.

Police also continue to warn people not to walk alone in the area where Leblanc's body was found.