By John Allore
There was big news in mid-October that the Sûreté du Québec finally cracked a 22-year-old cold case. Guylaine Potvin was a 19-year-old college student when she was found dead in her apartment in Jonquiere in April 2000. DNA found at the scene was eventually linked to a second incident from Ste-Foy in July 2000, in which a female student who lived alone was violently assaulted and left for dead, but survived. It took 22 years, but last month police apparently made a link using the DNA, arrested 47-year-old Marc-André Grenon of Granby, and charged him with first-degree murder and attempted murder and assault in connection with the second incident.
Many are familiar with this case. I profiled Guylaine Potvin on a podcast in the spring of 2018 and the second victim appeared on the program using the pseudonym ‘Isabeau’. Isabeau and I have remained in touch, and as you’d expect, she is glad for the out-come, but a little unsettled with what may happen next. It’s a sentiment shared by many, including Grenon’s former partner, Nancy Gatz, who came forward recently through an article in the Journal de Quebec stating, “I had a hard time believing it was murder, but at the same time I’m not surprised given how it turned out for me”. Gatz shared how Grenon was violent and controlling; fearful at first, she came forward any-way, “quite simply to help other women who could have been victims… and encour-age them to denounce him.” It’s a feeling shared by many in victims’ circles who don’t want blood vengeance, but simply want Marc-André Grenon put away so that he may never have the opportunity to do this again to any other woman.
