The bodies of girlfriends Jeanine Blanchette, 21, and Chantal Dube, 17, were found in a wooded area in Orangeville on Saturday.
After ruling out foul play and a connection to a high-profile murder in September, police are investigating the possibility of a double suicide, reports CTV (watch the video for more details).
The tragic story began on Tuesday [Sept 28] when two friends received “goodbye” phone calls from Jeanine and Chantal and reported them to
police. The young women also left behind goodbye letters to familyAdvertisementmembers.
Jeanine’s mother, Ellen Blanchette, said the police
responded quickly that day, but then didn’t take their concerns
seriously as the week progressed. Instead, Ellen said, Orangeville
police and OPP seemed to think the young women had run away.
On Sept 29, Jeanine’s mother drove to her daughter’s apartment, where she found receipts for hundreds of antipsychotic pills, reports the Star.
Discussion about queer youth suicide has swelled in recent weeks, in the wake of six reported cases in the United States. Determined to reach out, columnist Dan Savage has created a viral video campaign to let queer youth know that it gets better.
Vigils are planned across Canada this month, for lives lost due to homophobic bullying:
Toronto – Oct 6, 8pm – Church & Wellesley
Kingston – Oct 6, 8pm – JDUC, University & Union
Montreal – Oct 6, 8pm – Parc de l’Espoir, Beaudry Metro
Ajax – Oct 20, 6:30pm – Heritage Square, Ajax Town Hall
Why you can trust Xtra
