Police in Quebec are investigating the fifth suspected femicide since the beginning of the year after a woman was killed in Manawan, Que. After responding to a call Sunday afternoon, Manawan police found two bodies in an apartment in the First Nations community about 250 kilometres north of Montreal. The deceased are a 44-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman. Nancy Fournier, a spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), told CTV News that investigators believe it was a murder followed by a suicide “in the context of domestic violence.” The Atikamekw Council of Manawan said in a statement that a “major incident” had occurred in a residence resulting in the deaths of two individuals. “In these difficult times, it is important to remember that assistance, support, and psychosocial services are available to those who feel the need,” the council said. The case has been handed over to the SQ. 5 cases so far in 2026 The killing comes days after advocates have been sounding the alarm about the repeated cases of femicides in the first few weeks of 2026. The first case involved 31-year-old Tadjan’ah Désir, who was allegedly pushed from a third-floor balcony on New Year’s Day in Montreal and died a few days later. James Theramene has been charged with manslaughter in the case. On Jan. 13, the body of Susana Rocha Cruz, 44, was found in the St. Lawrence River in the Quebec City area after she was reported missing on Jan. 7. Abraham Bonzalez Leon, 43, was charged with second-degree murder in her death. Meanwhile, there are still no charges laid after Veronic Champagne, 40, was killed after sustaining serious injuries on Jan. 18 in Rougemont, Que. Her apartment was also set on fire. Police said they found a man inside the home with serious injuries, but his life was not in danger. Police say they planned to meet with the man when his health improves. Mary Iqiquq Tukalak, 54, was killed in an apparent murder-suicide on Jan. 5 in Nunavik. “Each femicide is not an isolated tragedy, and we see that in a very eloquently sad fashion this year,” said SOS Violence Conjugale clinical coordinator Claudine Thibaudeau in an interview last week. “It’s a collective failure to protect women. Something is wrong in our society, something is lacking, and we see that, unfortunately, leading to femicides.” DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SUPPORT NETWORK Victims of domestic violence can contact SOS violence conjugale at 1-800-363-9010. Other resources: With files from The Canadian Press
