Former Hells Angels boss Maurice 'Mom' Boucher dead at 69
Former Hells Angels boss Maurice "Mom" Boucher, regarded as one of the most infamous criminals in Quebec history, has died.
Boucher suffered from generalized throat cancer while serving a life sentence at the Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines Penitentiary north of Montreal. He was in medical care at the time of his death. He was 69 years old.
Boucher was one of Quebec's most notorious criminals. After joining the Angels in the late 80s, he co-founded a local chapter in the 90s, and grew to control a multi-million dollar drug trafficking empire.
On May 6, 2002, he was jailed for ordering the assassination of two Quebec prison guards in 1997, Pierre Rondeau and Diane Lavigne.
During his time in prison, he also pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to kill rival underworld figure Raynald Desjardins, who himself was jailed after being sentenced for conspiracy in the slaying of Mob boss Salvatore Montagna in 2011.
By the time of his death, he had been convicted of two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to murder, assault with a weapon and carrying a weapon with a dangerous purpose.
"My first thought, when I heard about Boucher's death today, went to the jail guards," said Guy Ouellette, a former provincial police officer who, during his three-decade career, worked to catch members of the Angels, including Boucher.
"We talk about Boucher, (but) we have to never forget about these two jail guards who were innocent victims of that biker war."
A photograph of Maurice Mom Boucher's vest was submitted as evidence, Wednesday March 27, 2002, in the trial of the Quebec biker. Boucher, leader of the Hells Angels in Quebec, faces two counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder for allegedly ordering the deaths of two prison guards in 1997. (CP PHOTO)
That "biker war" began in 1994 and spanned eight years as the Hells Angels fought for distribution turf against rival group the Rock Machine. It is regarded as one of the most violent gang conflicts in Quebec's history.
"Boucher wanted control of the drug market in certain areas of Montreal," said Ouellette, who is now an MNA for Chomedey, Que.
He added Boucher's death is just "another page" in the biker war legacy.
"I just feel sorry for the victims."
READ MORE: Remembering Daniel Desrochers, boy killed during Quebec’s biker war
During his time in prison, reports surfaced suggesting Boucher had been stabbed in a 2010 fight involving four people, two of whom were stabbed.
In 2002, the year he was arrested, Boucher survived a makeshift-knife attack after other inmates came to his defence and killed his attacker.
"Why? We've never been sure of the attacker's intentions," said crime reporter Daniel Renaud, who has written about Boucher's time in prison for La Presse.
It's possible, he said, his attackers "were looking to prove their valour."
The coroner will look into the death of Maurice Boucher, and "as is always the case in the death of an inmate, the Correctional Service of Canada will examine the circumstances of the incident," the CSC said in a news release.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.