In the close-knit community of Saint-Quentin, New Brunswick, where neighbors are familiar faces, Jean-Paul Caron was a well-known figure. A 67-year-old married man, he was a father to three children, a grandfather, and even a great-grandfather. Known to his friends as "Paulo," he was a member of the Knights of Columbus, 4th degree. He was remembered by the town's mayor as a familiar presence on the streets of the small rural town. Living a quiet life, no one could have imagined the violence that would unfold in his home.
The other victim was Melanie Roussie, a 36-year-old mother of three. Originally from Pointe-à-la-Croix, Quebec, just across the river, she was living in Saint-Quentin at the time of her death. Her family was left shattered and searching for answers. Her aunt, Bettie Roussie, expressed her shock, wondering if Melanie had just been in the wrong place at the wrong time. In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, one of Melanie’s daughters wrote, "You're beautiful mom, don't leave me alone. I will miss your calls every five minutes to ask me if I am okay... I will miss being called baby."
On the afternoon of October 30, 2017, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) were called to Jean-Paul Caron’s residence at 44 Valcourt Road. Inside, they made a grim discovery: the bodies of Jean-Paul Caron, a male, and Melanie Roussie. Autopsies later confirmed that both had died from gunshot wounds. The news of a double homicide stunned the small town of about 2,200 people, a place where such violent crime was virtually unheard of.
The New Brunswick RCMP’s Major Crime Unit immediately took over the investigation. Police quickly ruled out a murder-suicide and confirmed they were treating the case as a double homicide. Investigators stated that the victims were known to each other, though they did not elaborate on the nature of their relationship. Crucially, police announced they did not believe the killings were a random act, suggesting the perpetrator or perpetrators had specifically targeted Caron and Roussie. Despite this belief, police urged the community to remain vigilant.
Over the years, the investigation has continued, but no arrests have been made. In May 2021, nearly four years after the killings, the RCMP renewed their appeal for information. Investigators returned to the Saint-Quentin and Campbellton areas, hoping to speak with people who might have been reluctant to come forward earlier. They were particularly interested in speaking with anyone who saw either victim between the evening of October 29 and 12:30 p.m. on October 30, 2017.
The passage of time has not eased the pain for the families left behind. In 2021, Jean-Paul Caron’s daughter, Annik Bérubé, spoke of the lingering anguish. "It's been three and a half years since my father died and we don't know who did it," she said. "I can't wait to be able to mourn." Her hope was that modern technology could help investigators find the person responsible.
As of October 2023, the murders of Jean-Paul Caron and Melanie Roussie remain unsolved. New Brunswick Crime Stoppers continues to feature the case, appealing to the public for any information that might finally provide answers and justice for the two families. Anyone with information is asked to contact the New Brunswick RCMP’s Major Crime Unit or to provide an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.
