'She froze to death,' says grandson of woman found dead outside Laval seniors' residence

A man is speaking out after his 88-year-old grandmother was found dead outside a seniors’ residence in Laval, Que., early Monday morning.

Laval police said they were called to the scene at 6:50 a.m. at 25 Promenade des Îles in the Chomedey district.

Jeanne Gohier was declared dead on site outside the Villagia de l’Île Paton residence. Police said they do not yet know the circumstances surrounding her death.

Marc-Olivier Naud, the woman's grandson, told reporters on Monday that he can't believe Gohier was able to exit the seniors' residence without supervision, especially when the family pays $4,000 to $5,000 per month for her care.

"She froze to death," Naud said, noting that his grandmother had a medical condition comparable to dementia. "Think about that. It doesn't make any sense."

Naud said Gohier was staying on the second floor of the seniors' residence. He said the last time she left the home unsupervised was this summer, in the middle of the night.

The family found out about Gohier's death after Naud's brother read an article reporting that an 88-year-old woman had died at the residence, Naud said.

"I can't believe people here would tolerate this," he said.

A spokesperson said that the case has been transferred to the coroner’s office.

It was -18 C in Laval at 7 a.m., according to Environment Canada.