BY KEITH LACEY
An overflow crowd was expected Saturday in St. Charles for the funeral of Carmen and Gerry Lapalme.
Members of the small community were reeling with the news police have confirmed Carmen Lapalme died as a result of a gunshot wound.
It was originally believed Lapalme, 58, and her husband Gerry, 61, were killed in an early morning fire Monday at their Casimir Road home in St. Charles.
However, an investigation revealed Carmen died as a result of a gunshot wound. Police have also confirmed a second body, believed to be that of Gerry Lapalme, has been recovered from the scene, however, no positive identification has been confirmed as of Northern Life press time Friday.
Gunshot wounds were also found on the second body, but the exact cause of death has not been determined.
Sgt. Bob Furchner of the Warren OPP Detachment said six detectives are continuing their investigation into the incident, but no suspects are being sought.
?We?re conducting a thorough investigation and will go where the evidence leads us, but we don?t believe anyone else was involved,? said Furchner.
St. Charles Mayor Fern Bidal said the death of the Lapalmes was shocking as they were on of the most popular and well-liked couples in the small community.
Now that everyone knows violence was involved, the tragedy is that much harder to swallow, said Bidal Friday.
?This is just very tough to deal with,? he said. ?It?s devastating and this isn?t going to be an easy thing to deal with.
?That being said, this is a time to be kind and strong and remember both of them were very good people and they both leave behind huge families and we have to be there for these people. As a community, we have to keep going and we should remember the good things in their lives when we talk about them.?
The funeral took place at 2 pm on Saturday at St. Charles Borromee Roman Catholic Church on the main highway leading into St. Charles.
