Boucher died of throat cancer in prison on Sunday at the age of 69, according to Corrections Canada. “It’s like Al Capone dying or John Gotti dying,” said Julian Sher, an investigative journalist and author of two books about the Hell’s Angels. “Mama Boucher was a kingpin, one of the most notorious leaders of organized crime.” As the boss of the Hells Angels biker gang in the 1990s, Boucher sowed fear and terror in Montreal. It was his turf and he wanted everyone to know it, no matter the price, experts say. “He ruled the streets of Montreal,” explained Sr. “He was responsible for most of the cocaine distribution, brought millions to the Hells Angels, but also unleashed a wave of terror on this city.” Story continues below ad
Read more: Maurice ‘Mom’ Boucher, former Hells Angels boss, dies in prison of cancer
Bowser had been battling cancer for seven years and was moved into palliative care on June 10. He just recently turned 69 on June 21st. Trending Stories
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John Gallianos, a retired state trooper who worked in the Hells Angels archives, said Bowser loved to bully. Galianos remembers that Boucher would march in front of the police. “He went there to what we call in French ‘les énnerver,’ to tease them,” said Galliano. In an attempt to destabilize the justice system, Boucher ordered the murder of two prison guards, Pierre Rodeau and Diane Lavigne, in 1997, who were chosen at random. There was an attempt to kill a third guard. Boucher was arrested and charged, but not convicted. “When he was acquitted the first time, people applauded,” Galliano said. READ MORE: Maurice ‘Mom’ Boucher pleads guilty to murder conspiracy charge involving rival Eventually his reign began to crumble when his followers turned against him: loyal followers turned informers, experts say. Story continues below ad The untouchable king was arrested and tried again. The second time, in 2002, he was found guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of the prison guards. Guy Ouellette, a member of Quebec’s National Assembly and a retired provincial police officer, said his first thoughts when he learned of the death were for Boucher’s innocent victims. “Collateral damage they called that. I hope it never happens again,” Ouellette said. Boucher died while incarcerated in the palliative care unit of a correctional health care facility attached to Archambault Federal Penitentiary in Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Que., where he had been serving consecutive life sentences for the past 20 years. © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
