In the quiet community of Haute-Aboujagane, New Brunswick, the evening of November 28, 1990, brought a brutal and life-altering intrusion into the home of 70-year-old Henri Léger. That night, two men with their faces obscured by masks forced their way into the residence on Ouellette Road that Léger shared with his 88-year-old sister, Sophie, and his 78-year-old sister-in-law. The armed intruders, one carrying what was believed to be a. 22 caliber firearm and the other a wooden stick, barged in around 9:30 p.m. after Sophie answered a knock at the door. Henri, who had already retired for the evening, was awakened by the commotion and came to the aid of his family members.
The assailants demanded money and valuables, creating an atmosphere of terror within the home. When Sophie attempted to flee, one of the men violently threw her to the ground, causing significant injuries. Both women were subsequently bound with duct tape. In a valiant attempt to defend his loved ones, Henri confronted the intruders. His bravery was met with overwhelming violence as the two men overpowered him, dragged him upstairs to his bedroom, and beat him mercilessly with the wooden stick until he lost consciousness. The attackers then fled with a small amount of cash and some jewelry.
After the assailants left, the two women managed to free themselves and call for help. Henri Léger was rushed to the hospital, having fallen into a deep coma from the severe head trauma he sustained. He never regained consciousness and ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The investigation into this violent home invasion and murder has been met with significant challenges. The remote location of the house on a poorly lit road offered no witnesses who could provide descriptions of the suspects or their vehicle. The perpetrators wore masks, further hindering their identification. Despite the passage of time, the case of Henri Léger's murder remains unsolved, with no arrests made and no suspects publicly identified. The brutal home invasion and the tragic death of a man who died defending his family have left a lasting scar on the community, a cold case that continues to await a resolution.
