Five years in prison for death of Atikamekw woman: Emotional trial!
Éric Latour was sentenced to five years in prison on July 12, 2025 after being found guilty of the involuntary killing of Ève Chachai.

Five years in prison for death of Atikamekw woman: Emotional trial!
A tragic case has caused great excitement in the last few days. Éric Latour was sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of his partner, Ève Chachai. Noovo reports that Latour has already spent 19 months in custody, which will be deducted from the sentence.
The tragedy occurred last summer when 32-year-old Ève Chachai, a woman of atikamekw background, was found unconscious in a hotel in Le Montagnais. After analyzing surveillance videos, it became clear that there had been an altercation between Latour and Chachai, which ultimately led to her death from head trauma. The emotional strain on Ève's family was clearly noticeable at the trial, especially through the wailing of her daughter and sister.
About the circumstances of the punishment
Latour, who had a previous conviction, received a fine and his sentence could be reduced by a number of mitigating circumstances. These include his admission of guilt, remorse and the fact that there was no intent to kill. His lawyer, Me Francis Boucher, described the five-year prison sentence as appropriate.
In France, the penalties for accidental killing are clearly regulated by law. In general, perpetrators of accidental killings can face up to three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros. However, serious breaches of duty, such as those in Latour's case, can lead to longer prison sentences. In this case, an interdiction requirement was added that prohibited Latour from contacting the family of the deceased. Justifit also highlights the fact that accidental homicide often results from carelessness and is usually viewed as a crime.
A look at the deeper topic
The background to such acts is often influenced by various socio-cultural and economic factors. According to the Global Study on Homicide 2019 The drivers of Homicide are not only related to individual decisions, but are often also the result of social challenges, such as the availability of weapons and drug abuse.
This case is a tragic reminder of how quickly a person's life can end and how fragile social structures are. The dispute opens a window into a broader discussion about domestic violence, dealing with psychological stress and the need to seek support in a timely manner.
Many people want to help in such difficult times, and support for victims of such crimes must remain visible and accessible. The hope is that such incidents can be prevented in the future so that no one has to endure a similar tragedy again.