What were the criminal elements of the Old Montreal fire that killed a mother, daughter from France?
Posted January 2, 2025 10:23 am.
Last Updated January 2, 2025 10:42 am.
Months after a deadly fire at a building in Old Montreal that left a mother and daughter from France dead, a police expert is unpacking the criminal elements of the case.
Two men, aged 18 and 20, were charged with second-degree murder and arson, among other things, in connection with the fatal Oct. 4 blaze.
BACKGROUND: Old Montreal fatal fire: What exactly happened?
French nationals Léonor Geraudie, 43, and her seven-year-old daughter Vérane Reynaud-Geraudie were killed.
A former lieutenant detective with the Montreal police, who does not know the specifics of the case, is weighing in on the investigation so far.
“The fact that you arrest somebody doesn’t put closure to a case,” Pietro Poletti told CityNews. “They might have arrested certain individuals that acted on putting the fire, but who gave the orders? And that might be still going on.”
Emile Benamor, the owner of the three-storey building on Notre-Dame Street East that went up in flames, is entangled in the affair.
Five days after the deadly blaze, his nearby law office was riddled with bullets. Three young people aged 17, 19 and 20 were arrested. There were no injuries.
The following week, on Oct. 17, a vehicle was set on fire at his Dorval home. Police are investigating it as arson, but no arrests have been made so far.
“Obviously they’re targeting the person or the law firm,” Poletti explained. “Or the corporation that’s behind it. So there’s always a money sign.”
Poletti says it’s not common for criminal arsons to result in deaths.
“I think the person that acted out, committed that, he didn’t reason or didn’t think,” Poletti said. “And they’re probably young. And obviously, I don’t think any reasonable person wants people dead, especially when it comes to an extortion or a collection of debt.”
Benamor is also the owner of the Old Montreal building that burned in March 2023, killing seven people. Police are investigating that as a criminal fire, but no charges have been laid in the case.
“It’s the step before getting at the person,” said Poletti. “Obviously, crime goes in escalation. If the person, the victim doesn’t get the message, well, maybe they’ll target him directly.”
While some other crime experts floated the hypothesis of the incidents being related to pizzo, an Italian term used to describe the forced transfer of money resulting from extortion, Poletti believes it’s not likely.
“That was very popular in the ‘60s, ‘70s, even ‘80s for protection,” he said. “But what are you going to protect a person from? Why would you ask for a pizzo?”
Poletti says it’s important for Benamor to collaborate with the SPVM’s investigations.
Benamor’s lawyer acknowledged CityNews’ multiple requests for comment, but did not get back to us.
“I’m sure the case will be closed shortly. An arrest will be made. It will be a solid case,” Poletti said.
