Watch: Archival footage showing the murder scene and Gaudette in 2000
MONTREAL — A manhunt is underway in Quebec after convicted murderer Robert Gaudette escaped from a minimum security federal unit in Laval.
Gaudette, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of his wife in 2000, was noticed missing early Tuesday during a morning count. He escaped from the Montée St-François Institution.
“On July 29, 2014 during the 5 a.m. count, staff members discovered that Robert Gaudette was not accounted for in the minimum security unit,” a statement from Corrections Canada noted.
“The Correctional Service of Canada immediately contacted the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Sûreté du Québec and the Service de Police de Laval and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.”
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Gaudette is 55 years old, measures 180 cm (5’11”) in height and weighs 86 kg (189 lbs). He has a fair complexion, green eyes, light brown hair and a surgical scar on his abdomen.
He was serving time for strangling his wife Cindy Bouchard to death in April 2000.
Her body was discovered by police in an industrial park dumpster in Anjou, where the couple lived.
In 2002, Gaudette was found guilty of second-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
Anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Gaudette is asked to contact police; officials are warning not to approach the escapee, but to immediately call 9-1-1.
Corrections Service Canada has confirmed that it is launching an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
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