New Book by Raymond Ouimet: The L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Killing Spree Revisited and Analyzed

New Book by Raymond Ouimet: The L’Isle-aux-Allumettes Killing Spree Revisited and Analyzed

Outaouais author Raymond Ouimet has released a new historical book, part of which revisits a tragedy that took place in the Pontiac. In La vengeance des mal-aimés, published by Septentrion and now available in bookstores, Ouimet recounts three bloody tragedies, including one that occurred in L’Isle-aux-Allumettes, specifically in Demers Centre. The event, which took place on July 21, 1933, is described as the worst killing spree in the region’s history.

It was the crime of Michael Bradley, who murdered five members of his family. Ouimet even refers to Bradley—who was later convicted—as the “unloved” member of the family, offering a new perspective on the case.

At the time, the tragedy drew journalists from across the country, including reporters from the Toronto Star. Two trials, one of them held in Campbell’s Bay, marked the proceedings. Michael Bradley was ultimately hanged at the Campbell’s Bay jail in April 1935.

Journalist Mathieu Bélanger of Le Droit published an article about Ouimet’s book on Saturday, which is available here.