‘Absolutely devastating’: Community shocked, in disbelief over murder of West Island couple

Tributes pouring in outside the Bluenose, a collectibles store on Montreal’s West Island.

Its owner, Wayne Arnott and his partner Louise Boucher, were killed Wednesday. Their son was charged with their deaths.

“He was an amazing guy, really great personality,” said Bluenose client, Christina Lafleur. “I talked to him four days ago and I can’t believe that he’s not here anymore.”

Many are left in disbelief over the tragedy and losing a pillar in the community.

“You see headlines online, in newspapers and it’s always faces that you don’t recognize,” said Peter Grant, owner of Ted’s Hobby Shop, up the hall from Bluenose. “When you see someone that you recognize, it really hits home. This is absolutely devastating.”

For Matt Brunet, it’s a tough loss. He’s been coming to Bluenose since he was a child playing Yu-Gi-Oh!

“When it’s someone that you knew for a long time, especially when it is someone that did help you out to build up a part of your childhood, it’s just it really hits you hard personally,” he said.

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The couple, 60-year-old Way and 65-year-old Louise, were stabbed to death at their Île Bizard home. Their 29-year-old son Mitchell was charged with second degree murder Thursday. Some in the community believe he may have been struggling with his mental health.

READ MORE: Île-Bizard couple stabbed to death, son charged in their murders

“Wayne and Louise had a daughter and she’s left picking up a million pieces now,” said historian and NHL.com columnist, Dave Stubbs. “She’s lost essentially a brother and she’s lost her parents all with one telephone call.”

Many are now honouring the couple’s memory, described as an incredible force.

“He was always, always in motion. He had great energy,” said Stubbs. “But when he did stop, he always had time, especially even for the young collectors. That’s what impressed me.”

Lafleur used to come by Bluenose to look for relics and old PlayStation games.

“I would just talk to him and he he remembered my name, and he remembered what I did for a living,” she said. “He was just such a great guy, so happy all the time.”

Wayne had also mentored many, like Dave Jaynes, who came by the store Friday to leave a card.

“He taught me a lot, and I know I wasn’t the only one, because when I would go in, I would wait my turn,” he said.

(Credit: CityNews / Alyssia Rubertucci)

Stubbs says his time at Bluenose with Wayne was always memorable.

“When I was working on a story some months back on Fred Stanfield, a former member of the Boston Bruins, and we had talked about a card that I wanted to get anywhere. I wound up finding some ratty old card.

“And as I was leaving,  Wayne said, ‘What have you bought from me today?’ and I showed him the Stanfield card. He said, ‘I’m going to have a really hard time parting with this,’ and he burst out laughing.

“So I decided to return the card to him today,” Stubbs said. “I’ve taped it in a note on the door with my sympathies and expressing my sympathies, and that Wayne will definitely be missed.”

(Credit: CityNews / Alyssia Rubertucci)

Now, flowers and cards lay at the foot of where Wayne built his legacy.

“We’re hoping for the best that that maybe Bluenose itself will remain strong after his passing or that there will be peace with Wayne and his family,” said Brunet.