‘Rest little angel’: Vigil for mother, children killed in Brossard apartment fire
Posted October 4, 2022 9:14 pm.
Last Updated October 5, 2022 12:24 am.
A blue teddy bear laying on the grass. A white lily resting against unlit candles.
A message written on a yellow paper heart: “Rest little angel.” And a moment of silence.
That was the scene at the vigil held in memory of Synthia Bussières and her two children. The family was killed in a suspected femicide and infanticide on Montreal’s South Shore in late September.
“It’s a reminder of our children and how small they are, how vulnerable they are, and how they deserve a tutu rather than violence or death,” said Glenn Hoa, who attended Tuesday’s vigil.
“We’re here to reflect on what happened.”
The vigil was organized by Com’Femme, a women’s centre in Brossard.
Hoa wanted to attend to pay his respects to the family. He brought stuffed animals for the makeshift shrine.
“Maybe I’m superstitious, but if the spirit of the children are here and if the mother is here, then maybe the kids would get jealous, you know? So I went to get more,” said Hoa. “More teddy bears. So that everyone’s happy here.”
Longueil police said three people were found during a fire in a Brossard apartment complex on Sept. 25.
The 38-year-old Bussières and her children – aged five and two – were declared dead in hospital after being found inside the burning apartment.
Emergency services responded to a fire alarm around 1 a.m. at the building on Saint-Laurent Boulevard near Saint-Charles Street.
Mohamad Al Ballouz, 36, is accused of the premeditated murders of his two children and the second-degree murder of his partner, as well as arson.
WATCH: Brossard man charged in murder of his two children and partner
“We’re here, unfortunately, to bring to the attention the violence that women are still undergoing today,” said Maria Papadakis, a counsellor with Com’Femme.
It was the 10th femicide in Quebec this year.
“It’s not one incident that you’re going to be able to say, ‘oh, that’s conjugal violence,’” said Papadakis. “Because it’s a web of activities. So today is important to talk about that. Unfortunately, under these circumstances, which are horrific, horrific… This mustn’t repeat itself. It shouldn’t.”
“Be more aware of what domestic violence is and be able to reach out to people who might be victims or might be perpetrating violence so they can get the help that they need,” added Catherine Champagne, the sensitization agent at Pavillon Marguerite de Champlain, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.
Tuesday’s vigil lasted four hours, ending with a moment of silence for the family.
“They don’t deserve death, they deserve life,” said Hoa.
If you need help, reach out. Call SOS violence conjugal 24/7 at 1-800-363-9010.
If you fear you may become violent towards your partner, call PRO-GAM for an appointment at 514-270-8462.
