Woman Murdered in Châteauguay Vigil held for victim, spouse charged

 Marcellin Koman Mbo was charged with second degree murder of his wife Simone Mahan on Thursday afternoon at the Salaberry-de-Valleyfield courthouse. Around the same time some thirty people had gathered near Chateauguay’s library to honour the victim and denounce Quebec’s 7th female murder victim this year.

Translation Amanda Bennett

The 45-year-old Chateauguay resident was found lifeless in her home on Jules-Dumouchel Street the previous day. Her husband Marcellin Koman Mboa was arrested in Saint-Stanislas-de-Kostka hours later.

Simone Mahan. (Photo : Facebook)

The community organization that offers support and shelter to women who are victims of domestic violence, La Re-Source, organized a vigil in the mother’s memory. Some of the victim’s colleagues were on hand with bouquets of flowers. The names of the 7 women who have been murdered since the beginning of the year were displayed and attendees wore scarves inscribed with “the next one is still alive”.

A minute of silence was observed to honour the late Chateauguay resident. « We are shaken every time a woman is murdered, but this was one of us. She was from Chateauguay. We probably crossed paths with her somewhere. She was a mom, a wonderful colleague from what we have heard and that, that really resonates, that hurts, » expressed Jennifer-Ann Dooling, a worker at La Re-Source. She stressed that La Re-Source is available to support those affected by this tragedy. « We’re here to help, colleagues, loved ones, children. We’re here 24/7. »

Several members of the Chateauguay Police Department also attended the vigil, held mere steps away from the station. « It affects everyone. We we arrive on the scene, we do our jobs as police officers, but we’re all human beings, too. We have sisters, mothers, cousins. It always gets to us, » said Ginette Séguin, Châteauguay’s Police Chief, who went on to explain that, as Chief, it is her role to support the officers who were at the crime scene.