Man accused of fatally pushing ex-girlfriend off Montreal balcony sees charge upgraded to manslaughter
Posted January 15, 2026 2:50 pm.
Last Updated January 15, 2026 6:01 pm.
A man arrested shortly after a woman was allegedly pushed to her death from the third-storey balcony of a Montreal apartment building has been charged with manslaughter.
James Theramene of Laval was initially charged with aggravated assault in the New Year’s Day death of Tadjan’ah Desir. That charge was upgraded to manslaughter during a court appearance Thursday.
Theramene was reportedly scheduled to be released on bail Thursday afternoon, under conditions.
Desir died in hospital after allegedly being pushed from the Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve apartment during what a witness told police was a confrontation.
The SPVM has called it the first murder of 2026 in the Montreal area.
Theramene was arrested at the scene. The allegation against him has not been tested in court.
An anti-domestic violence organization has identified the accused and victim, both 31 years old, as ex-partners.
Manslaughter is defined as a homicide committed without intent, although there may have been an intention to cause harm.
It carries no minimum sentence, except when it is committed with a firearm, in which case the minimum sentence is four years in prison.
