Melanie Roussie

A loving mother of three, Melanie Roussie was remembered for her happy greetings and the deep connection she shared with her family. The 36-year-old female was originally from the Quebec community of Pointe-à-la-Croix, just across the Restigouche River from Campbellton, New Brunswick, but had been living in the small northwestern New Brunswick town of Saint-Quentin. Her aunt, Bettie Roussie, recalled that Melanie was always happy to see her, offering a warm "Hi Aunt Betty." Her death left her family shaken and her community in shock.

The tragedy that cut her life short unfolded on Monday, October 30, 2017. Shortly after noon, police were called to a residence at 44 Valcourt Road in Saint-Quentin. Inside the home, they discovered the bodies of Melanie Roussie and the home's owner, 67-year-old Jean-Paul Caron. Both were deceased. The news stunned the small town of about 2,200 people, where, as the mayor at the time noted, "everybody knows everybody else."

Autopsies later confirmed that both Melanie and Jean-Paul Caron had died from gunshot wounds. The New Brunswick RCMP’s Major Crime Unit quickly took over the investigation and ruled out the possibility of a murder-suicide. They began treating the case as a double homicide. Investigators stated that the two victims knew each other, though they did not elaborate on the nature of their relationship. Police also announced that they did not believe the killings were a random act, though they urged the community to remain vigilant.

In the days following the discovery, Melanie's family grappled with the violent loss. Her 20-year-old daughter, Monica, posted a heart-wrenching tribute to her mother on Facebook. "How can people be so cruel?" she wrote, later adding, "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 doing our hair together and doing our makeup together... Mom I need you with me because I won't be able to do it." Melanie's obituary named her three daughters, Monica, Naomie, and Marie-Ève, as well as her parents, Nicole Hélène Dubé and Gordon Roussie, and her brother, Michel. Her funeral was held in her hometown of Pointe-à-la-Croix.

The investigation into the double homicide has remained active for years, though no arrests have been made. The RCMP have made several public appeals for information. Investigators have been particularly interested in speaking with anyone who saw either Melanie or Jean-Paul Caron between the evening of Sunday, October 29, and noon on Monday, October 30, 2017. In May 2021, the Major Crime Unit announced they would be back in the Saint-Quentin and Campbellton areas to re-engage with the community, conduct interviews, and go door-to-door, hoping to gather new information to advance the case.

As of October 2023, the murders of Melanie Roussie and Jean-Paul Caron remain unsolved. New Brunswick Crime Stoppers issued a renewed appeal for help from the public, emphasizing that even a small piece of information could be the key to bringing justice to the two victims and their families. Police continue to ask anyone with knowledge of the homicides to come forward.

Information can be provided to the New Brunswick RCMP’s Major Crime Unit at 506-548-7774. To remain anonymous, tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by using the secure P3 Tips mobile app, or online at www.crimenb.ca.