Man Formally Charged in Deaths of Barthe Brothers in Campbellton

A 38-year-old man from Montreal, formerly of Campbellton, New Brunswick has been charged in connection with the deaths of two young boys who were attacked by a snake in 2013.

RCMP say Jean Claude Savoie has been charged with one count of criminal negligence causing the deaths of the Noah and Connor Barthe.  The charge was laid Monday in Campbellton Provincial Court.

Four-year-old Noah Barthe and his 6-year-old brother Connor both died on August 5, 2013 at Savoie's residence in Campbellton.  Autopsies determined that the boys were asphyxiated by an African rock python that was being housed in the same apartment where the boys were staying for a sleepover.

“This was a unique case in Canada and required consultation with experts familiar with African rock pythons,” says Constable Jullie Rogers-Marsh with the New Brunswick RCMP. “In addition, as is common in major investigations, a thorough review was conducted of the evidence and investigational steps. That review determined there was sufficient evidence to lay a charge.”

RCMP investigators arrested Savoie on February 5 in Quebec.  He is scheduled to appear in Campbellton Provincial Court on April 27 to face the charge.