Patrice Maillé

For nearly six years, the fate of Patrice Maillé was a painful mystery. The last time he was seen alive was in Montreal, Quebec, on the evening of December 13, 2001. At approximately 10:15 p.m., he vanished, leaving behind a void of information and a silence that would stretch on for years. What happened in the moments after that last sighting and where he went remained unknown to all who knew him. The questions surrounding his sudden disappearance would go unanswered until a grim discovery was made in a different city, long after he was gone.

The answer, when it finally came, was found on November 10, 2007. In a wooded area in Mirabel, a city located about 30 miles northwest of Montreal, human remains were discovered. Authorities were called to the scene, and the process of identification began. Soon, the remains were confirmed to be those of Patrice Maillé, ending the long period of uncertainty about his whereabouts but opening a new and darker chapter in his story. Investigators examining the scene and the remains found clear indications of foul play. The clues led them to a single, stark conclusion: Patrice was the victim of a homicide.

The investigation into the murder of Patrice Maillé was launched by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), the provincial police force for Quebec. His case presents the kind of complex challenge that often falls to specialized cold case units. With a six-year gap between the victim's disappearance in a major city and the discovery of his body in a semi-rural, wooded area, the timeline was fractured and the trail of evidence had grown cold. Investigators had to work backward, attempting to reconstruct Patrice's life in 2001, his final movements, and any potential motives or individuals who may have wished him harm.

The Sûreté du Québec's division for unsolved crimes handles hundreds of such cases across the province, some dating back decades. These dedicated investigators are tasked with re-examining old files, applying new forensic techniques, and searching for the one small detail or witness statement that might have been missed years earlier. For the families of victims, the existence of these units represents a continuing hope that justice, however delayed, might one day be served. The passage of time can sometimes be an ally, as relationships change and individuals who were once afraid to speak may finally feel able to come forward with crucial information.

As of May 2026, the murder of Patrice Maillé remains an active and unsolved investigation. The circumstances of who killed him, why he was targeted, and how he came to be in the woods in Mirabel are still open questions that his loved ones and police are desperate to answer. The case has been featured in media reports on unsolved homicides in the Montreal area, a reminder to the public that this crime has not been forgotten and that the search for the person or people responsible continues.

The Sûreté du Québec maintains that even a seemingly minor piece of information could be the key to breaking the case open. They continue to appeal to the public for help. Anyone who may have known Patrice Maillé in 2001, saw something unusual in Montreal on the night of December 13, 2001, or has any information at all related to this homicide is urged to contact the Sûreté du Québec's Centrale de l’information criminelle at 1-800-659-4264. All tips can be provided confidentially.