Linda Boudreau, 45, Dartmouth NS
Linda was murdered on September 11, 1997, saying goodbye to her two sons, ages 12 and 15.
Graduating from Mount St. Vincent University in Home Economics, Linda taught in the Dartmouth school system for over 20 years.
One of Linda’s students described her as “. . . one of those teachers who just made you feel comfortable.” Another student said, “She gave everyone nicknames, even her class fridge and sewing machine, so students would treat them with respect.”
A Statement of Facts indicated that Linda and the Accused had been married for 21 years, but in July 1997, they were in the process of separating, mainly due to his excessive drinking.
During an argument in July, the Accused grabbed Linda by the throat in a choking motion. Linda did not report this to the police, but did tell her doctor, friends and relatives. It is believed that this event was the one that pushed Linda to commence divorce proceedings.
On September 11th, the Accused had dinner with his sons, consuming a bottle of wine with his meal.
Linda arrived home later that evening and went immediately to her room upstairs.
The Accused was occupying a bedroom in the basement of the home. The Accused went up to Linda’s room twice asking her to speak him. Linda eventually went downstairs with him. At one point, their sons heard their mother say “don’t touch me” and then later heard Linda screaming “boys, boys.”
Linda’s oldest son went to his room and dialed 911, while his brother ran downstairs and saw his father hitting his mother. Thinking his father had turned to come after him, he ran to a neighbor’s house.
After Linda’s youngest son saw that the Accused’s truck was gone, he returned home with the neighbor. When they went downstairs, they found Linda in the Accused’s room, lying in blood with a knife in her chest. Linda was stabbed 14 times.
Despite assistance from police and paramedics, Linda was pronounced dead soon after her arrival at the hospital.
The Accused went to a hunting camp overnight and turned himself in the next morning.
On April 7, 1998, the Accused pleaded guilty to second degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 12 years.
Linda’s children went to live with her sister in New Brunswick.