American chocolatier Jonathan Lehrer and wife detained after 'ambush-killing' of Daniel Langlois and partner in burning car
DOMINICA: Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand from Quebec, Canada, were discovered dead in a burnt car near an eco-resort that they owned in the Caribbean on December 1. Among those being questioned by the police about the deaths are 57-year-old Jonathan Lehrer and his wife.
The Lehrers are neighbors to the deceased, and who own and operate the chocolate company Bois Collette Inc. They have not been charged with any crimes yet but they have been detained along with two other people who are also being interrogated, reported the Daily Mail.
Langlois was the founder of Softimage, the company that created 3D animation software for movies like 'Jurassic Park', 'Men in Black', and 'Star Wars'. He ran the Coulibri Ridge Resort along with Marchand.
According to the Dominica police, the partners were 'ambushed' by a hit man who killed them and then set their car on fire.
The dispute between Daniel Langlois and Jonathan Lehrer
Langlois and Lehrer were locked in a dispute over the usage of the Morne Rouge Public Road, which passes through the estate of the chocolatier. In 2019, the highest court of the island ruled that the road was public and could be freely used by Langlois' guests.
Court documents from the case show Langlois accusing Lehrer of interfering with "unobstructed and free use of the public road" for over for years.
On one occasion, Lehrer reportedly "blocked the road by placing boulders across the road, digging a trench across the said road, erecting metal pipes and placing equipment and supplies on the road denying the claimants and their employees access to their property."
Officials release statements on death of Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand
"Crimes like this do not only hurt international relations, but this crime in particular, has sent shock waves throughout the island and left the employees, families, and communities of the victims in mourning," stated National Security Minister Rayburn Blackmor.
The deaths of Langlois and Marchand were acknowledged by the Office of Global Affairs Canada, but they refrained from naming the deceased Canadian citizens.
"Canadian officials continue to monitor the situation closely, are engaging with local authorities and providing consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed," read the statement.
The intense fire in the car made identifying the bodies impossible, said the Dominican police, who added that they are relying on "circumstantial evidence to connect them to the missing couple."
