In Brossard, Quebec, a tragic incident unfolded as a man and his wife were discovered deceased in their home in what appeared to be a murder-suicide. The man, Marcos Amilcar Diaz Lopez, 56, had previously faced accusations of assaulting his wife with a knife, leading to the implementation of measures such as wearing an electronic tracking device. However, the charges against him were later dropped.
The bodies of Marcos Amilcar Diaz Lopez and his wife, Sonia Maricela Gonzalez Vasquez, 54, were found inside their residence on Bienvenue Avenue after authorities received a report of an armed assault around midnight on Monday. Both individuals seemed to have sustained stab wounds, prompting the police to conclude that the woman was likely killed while the man took his own life.
Court records revealed that Diaz Lopez had been charged with assaulting his wife on two separate occasions in December 2024, with the latter incident involving a 30-centimeter knife. Despite being granted bail on December 19, Diaz Lopez was instructed to reside at the home, maintain a distance from Gonzalez Vasquez, and wear a tracking bracelet. Subsequently, he was accused of breaching these conditions by being in close proximity to his wife.
Initially compliant with the imposed restrictions, Diaz Lopez saw all conditions lifted in May 2025, including the requirement to wear the tracking bracelet and stay away from Gonzalez Vasquez. By December of that year, all charges against him were also dismissed, encompassing allegations of assault, assault with a weapon, uttering threats, and harassment.
Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière condemned the increase in domestic violence cases, highlighting the term “femicide” to describe Gonzalez Vasquez’s death, emphasizing the gender-related motivation behind such crimes. The tragic incident has spurred calls for enhanced resources to safeguard victims of conjugal violence, with over 50 care homes planning to protest at the National Assembly for increased support in the upcoming provincial budget.
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing family or intimate partner violence, please contact 911 or seek assistance from crisis lines and local support services for help.