'My boy is home now': Body of hunter missing since April recovered near Fort Chipewyan
Two months after her sons vanished on a boating trip near Fort Chipewyan, Alta., Mary Jane Ladouceur can finally say goodbye to both of them.
Andrew Ladouceur's body was found by boaters on the grassy shore of northern Alberta's Rocher River Saturday. The body of his brother, Walter, was found April 30.
"Now I'm happy. My boy is home now," Mary Jane said, adding family stayed with his body until police arrived. "Friday was two months since my boy has been gone. Finally they found him yesterday. I am glad."
The Ladouceur brothers, along with fellow hunters Keanan Cardinal and Keith Marten, left Fort Chipewyan on April 23. They travelled on the Rocher River, heading to an area known as Devil's Gate.
They never returned, and their boat was found on April 25.
Andrew's body was recovered Saturday in an area of the river called Little Rapids, about eight kilometres downstream from where the boat was found.
He is the third of the four hunters recovered from the river. Keanan Cardinal was found May 1. Keith Marten is still missing.
The men never left each other behind, Mary Jane said. She said she's thinking of Marten's mother while the community waits for the last hunter to return home.
"I am glad to have my boy home now, but there is still one more," she said. "Hopefully he will come in today."
'It's better for the mothers to know where their sons are'
Andrew's uncle, Raymond Ladouceur, said he's thankful his nephew's body was found so he can be properly buried.
"At least we know where he will be now," he said. "It's better for the mothers to know where their sons are."
All four men were experienced hunters. Dozens of volunteers from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation, along with RCMP and Parks Canada officials were involved in the search days after they were confirmed missing.
Raymond Ladouceur said the brothers were "survival boys" who learned about the land and how to hunt from their father.
"Nice boys. Respectable boys, real kind hearted, they would help you in any way," he said.
"It's sad to lose two boys, two nephews in one shot. But I guess it happens. Our time comes, no matter where we're at, we gotta go."
Andrew Ladouceur's body will be taken to Fort McMurray before returning to Fort Chipewyan, where a funeral will be held.
