Allan Legere dies at 78 while serving life sentence
Allan Legere, known as the ‘Monster of the Miramichi,’ has died at the age of 78 while serving a life sentence at the Edmonton Institution in Alberta. His death was confirmed by Correctional Service Canada, although the cause remains undisclosed.
Legere was serving his sentence for four counts of first-degree murder, a conviction he received in November 1991 after a series of violent crimes that shocked the community. His criminal activities escalated after he escaped from prison in May 1989, becoming a fugitive for 201 days. During this time, he murdered four people in three separate attacks, including Annie Flam, who was killed just 25 days after his escape.
Following Flam’s murder, Legere continued his violent spree, claiming the lives of the Daughney sisters five months later and Father James Smith five weeks after that. The brutality of his actions led to his notoriety and the moniker ‘Monster of the Miramichi,’ which has lingered in the collective memory of the community.
Legere had previously been serving a life sentence for the 1986 beating death of John Glendenning. In 2015, he was transferred to the Edmonton Institution from a super-maximum security penitentiary in Quebec. His status as a dangerous offender allowed for permanent incarceration, and he was denied full parole in late 2025 due to being deemed an undue risk to society.
His passing marks the end of a dark chapter in our community, as noted by Paddy Quinn, a local resident. Many in the area have expressed a sense of relief, with Rick Maclean stating, “There are an astonishing number of people who have remained afraid to even mention his name. So the sense of relief is going to be very real in the community.”
The Correctional Service of Canada has indicated that they will review the circumstances surrounding Legere’s death. Observers note that while his passing may bring closure to some, the impact of his crimes continues to resonate within the community.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact circumstances of his death, but it is clear that Allan Legere’s legacy will be remembered as one of fear and tragedy in the Miramichi region.
