Gatineau, Que. couple found dead in Dominican Republic

Loved ones are seeking answers from authorities after a couple from Gatineau, Que. was found dead in their home in Dominican Republic the day after Christmas.

A couple from Gatineau was found dead while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, according to a family member.

Alain Noël, 56, and Christine Sauvé, 55, were found dead in their home in Villa Riva.

Sauvé’s brother, Gilles Sauvé Jr., told CTV News the couple died during the night of Dec. 25. and the family is waiting for more information about the deaths.

According to Sauvé, the couple’s son who had come to visit for Christmas found them in the morning of Dec. 26.

The cause of death is unknown, but Sauvé said “there was absolutely no suicide or murder.”

“They were a very respected family, very close-knit, a really good family. They were loved by everyone and were planning to retire in the Dominican Republic with their new house,” Sauvé said of his sister and her husband.

The couple bought the house four years ago and went there three times a year, he said.

He added the family will have to wait 10 to 30 days to receive autopsy results and repatriate them to Quebec.

“It’s so complicated to understand why everything happened. It’s just crazy. We’re in a big shock, everybody here,” Sauvé said of his family. “It’s hard to go day by day but we’re trying.”

Sauvé said his sister had been feeling unwell the day before her death.

“She was lightheaded and she fell, that’s why she went to the hospital with her husband,” he said. “She got some blood tests and was supposed to come back the day after, because almost everything was closed, ... but they didn’t pass the night,” he said.

The family wants answers, but Sauvé says things are moving “very slowly” both with Canadian and local authorities.

In a statement, Global Affairs Canada confirmed it is “aware of two Canadian citizens who died in the Dominican Republic.”

It added that “Canadian officials are providing consular assistance and communicating with local authorities to obtain more information.”

‘Dedication to the community’

Sauvé said his family, including his sister and brother-in-law, were very involved in the Gatineau community.

The three had a general contracting company in construction.

He said the couple and their two children were a tight-knit family with lots of friends, “they were so easygoing.”

The family is also known for its support of the local junior hockey team, the Gatineau Olympiques, and raised money for CHEO, a children’s hospital in Ottawa.

The Olympiques said it received the news of the deaths “with profound sadness.”

“The Sauvé family has maintained close and meaningful ties with the Gatineau Olympiques organization for many years,” it said in a statement.

It added the family “made a significant contribution to the history and development of the organization through [their] commitment, passion, and dedication to the Olympiques and the community.”

The CHEO foundation said the couple’s “generosity through the annual haunted house brought joy to many and vital support to CHEO.”

“Our hearts go out to their family and friends during this incredibly difficult time as we remember their legacy of kindness,” it added in a statement.

Diario Libre, a local daily newspaper in the Dominican Republic, reported on Dec. 26 that the bodies of the two Quebecers would be transported to the Dominican Republic’s National Institute of Forensic Sciences in Santo Domingo.

The paper also reported that local authorities are investigating.

With files from CTV News Montreal’s Angela Mackenzie