Quebec police arrest child murder suspect Philippe Benoît after tip

The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) confirmed that Philippe Benoît, 41, was arrested on Wednesday in the Lac‑aux‑Sables area after a public tip helped locate him. Benoît is the principal suspect in the homicide of his son, whose body was found on Sunday in a residence in Shawinigan.

The search for the suspect involved specialized police units, a helicopter, all‑terrain vehicles, mounted patrols and a command post. Earlier, the SQ had appealed to the public for assistance, urging owners of hunting cameras in the region to review footage from the night of the incident. Citizens who saw Benoît were instructed to call 911 rather than intervene. After his arrest, Benoît was taken to a hospital for medical care.

The investigation highlights the role of community cooperation in a high‑profile child homicide case in Quebec.