Just as the last Canadian soldiers deployed in Afghanistan returned home today, news emerged that Cpl. Alain Lacasse was found dead in his home in Valcartier, Que.
Lacasse's body was found Monday afternoon.
Police said that because Lacasse’s death was a suicide, they are not giving out any details about what took place.
The 44-year-old was a member of the Third Battalion of the 22nd Royal Regiment, also known as the Van Doos, and served on six tours of duty in Cyprus, Germany, Israel, Bosnia (twice) and Afghanistan.
Close call in Afghanistan
Cpl. Lacasse’s last deployment was in Afghanistan from July 2007 to February 2008, where he was stationed near Kandahar to take part in patrols.
According to reports, Lacasse encountered some close calls. Just a few days before the end of his mission, Lacasse was riding in a vehicle when a suicide bomber jumped in front of the car.
The vehicle exploded, but no one was injured.
Lacasse’s death marks the third one in as many months by a soldier attached to CFB Valcartier.
In December, Cpl. Sylvain Lelièvre was found dead in the basement of his residence. He had taken his own life. Like Lacasse, Lelièvre participated in various missions abroad, including Bosnia and Afghanistan.
Capt. Philippe Boudreau, chaplain for the support group of the 2nd Division, was found dead on Jan. 22 in a family housing unit located on CFB Valcartier. The Coroner's Office said he died of natural causes.
In November, three other Canadian veterans who had served in Afghanistan were found dead within in a week. They had taken their own lives.