A Quebec coroner's report has concluded a Gatineau couple died of an accidental fentanyl overdose last February, leaving their 3-year-old son, alone, in the home with their decomposing bodies for four days.
Amélie Gauthier-Matte, 20, and Christopher Lecouvie, 32, were found in bed in their apartment in an advanced state of decomposition on February 27.
According to coroner Pierre Bourrassa's report, made public Thursday, toxicology tests found the lethal dose of fentanyl as well as MDMA, ecstasy and methamphetamine. Gauthier-Matte also had heroine in her system, while Lecouvie had cannabis in his.
Despite a court order saying Lecouvie was no longer allowed to see Gauthier-Matte, the pair continued to see each other and consume drugs together.
The bodies were only discovered after a neighbour noticed Lecouvie's 3-year-old son throwing toys out of the apartment window. The friend of the couple decided to see what was going on and ultimately made the discovery.
Police originally believed the child had been alone for 24 to 48 hours. However the coroner's report estimates the couple died on February 23, four days before the neighbour found them.
The report comes as fentanyl overdoses increase in Quebec, despite having been relatively spared from the opioid crisis that has killed hundreds of Canadians in 2017. Last week Health Minister Gaétan Barrette and Public Health Minister Lucie Charlebois that naloxone, a drug used to counter opioid overdoes, would be made available free of charge in pharmacies.