Saguenay homicide: man found dead on Jonquière ATV trail near Chute‑à‑Caron
A 45-year-old man was found dead Monday evening (June 8, 2026) on an ATV trail near the Chute‑à‑Caron hydroelectric station in Jonquière, prompting a Saguenay homicide investigation.
Discovery and first response
The body was located at about 7:45 p.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, in a wooded sector near the Chute‑à‑Caron power plant in the Jonquière borough of Saguenay. Local officers from the Service de police de Saguenay (SPS) were first on scene and confirmed the circumstances indicated a possible homicide.
A wide security perimeter was set up immediately around the trail to protect potential evidence, and a command post for the SPS was installed at the foot of côte Desmeules. Residents in the immediate area reported an increased police presence as investigators worked through the evening.
Victim identification and status
Police identified the deceased as a 45‑year‑old man originally from the local sector, though authorities have not released his name pending family notification. Investigators said the victim’s identity will be confirmed through standard investigative and forensic procedures before further details are made public.
No arrests had been reported at the time police handed the file to provincial investigators, and officers cautioned against speculation while inquiries were ongoing. Family members and community supports have been notified where appropriate, according to police sources.
Sûreté du Québec takes over the inquiry
Although initial response was by the SPS, the investigation was formally placed under the jurisdiction of the Sûreté du Québec (SQ). The SQ confirmed it was treating the case as a homicide and had dispatched specialists to the scene to lead the probe.
Kim Cormier, a spokesperson for the SQ, said the scene had been protected to preserve evidence. The SQ’s move to take charge reflects routine protocol when local investigations involve suspected homicides or require specialized resources.
Forensic work and investigative teams on site
Investigators from the SQ’s section des crimes contre la personne were deployed to the site, supported by a technician in judicial identification. Forensic teams worked through the night to document the scene, collect physical evidence and map the area around the trail and the hydroelectric station.
Police sources said the preservation of the perimeter and careful collection of traces were priorities to ensure the integrity of the forensic process. Officers also canvassed nearby areas for witnesses or surveillance that might assist the inquiry.
Police statement on links to organized crime
Authorities made an early public clarification that the death is not linked to the recent armed conflict between criminal groups for control of drug trafficking in the region. That assurance was intended to reduce community concern about broader criminal violence while the homicide investigation proceeds.
Investigators did not elaborate on motive or possible suspects, citing the ongoing nature of the inquiry and the need to protect operational details. Police asked anyone with information, including those who may have been driving or traveling near the Chute‑à‑Caron sector on Monday evening, to come forward.
Public safety and community reaction
The heavy police presence and the closure of portions of the trail prompted questions from local residents about safety in the area, which is frequently used by ATV riders and hikers. Municipal officials and community groups urged calm and urged citizens to cooperate with investigators while respecting the privacy of those affected.
Local emergency services remained available to the public and reassured residents that no broader threat to the community had been identified. Neighbourhood leaders called for support services for those shaken by the discovery and for timely updates from law enforcement.
The homicide investigation in Saguenay remains active as provincial detectives and forensic technicians continue to examine the scene, interview potential witnesses and analyze evidence. Police reiterated their appeal for information and said further details would be released as the inquiry allows.
