Disturbing Threat: Hitman Offered $71,000 for Murder of Montreal Journalist

Convicted murderer Frédérick Silva confessed to trying to hire a hitman for the assassination of crime reporter Daniel Renaud, who was covering his high-profile trial. Quebec officials condemned the plot, emphasizing the need to protect journalists and combat organized crime.

A disturbing revelation has emerged from Quebec, where crime reporter Daniel Renaud of La Presse newspaper was the target of an assassination contract reportedly offered by convicted killer Frédérick Silva. Silva, who is serving a life sentence for three murders and an attempted murder, confessed to offering C$100,000 (around $71,400) for Renaud's assassination, as he was covering Silva's ongoing legal proceedings in 2021.

Details of the plot surfaced when Silva, now acting as a police informant, disclosed the offer during a confession. The contract was allegedly placed after Silva communicated with two major organized crime figures while in custody. However, these figures expressed reservations about harming a journalist, leading to the contract being in limbo for about two months. Ultimately, Silva canceled the order, citing more pressing concerns.

Quebec Premier François Legault strongly condemned the incident, stating, “It makes no sense that in Quebec – we are not in a movie – there is a contract placed on the head of a journalist because he does his job.” He underscored the necessity for law enforcement to target organized crime effectively to prevent such threats to freedom of the press.

Renaud, in response to the unsettling news, expressed feeling "shaken" and reassured that while he exercises caution, he never imagined he could find himself as a target of such a contract. Vincent Marissal, a former colleague turned provincial politician, highlighted Renaud's commitment to his work, stating that he is not an incendiary journalist, yet still manages to stir considerable attention for his reporting.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the perils journalists face in pursuit of their responsibilities, particularly in jurisdictions where organized crime persists. The shocking nature of this attempted hit raises critical concerns over media freedom and the safety of those dedicated to uncovering the truth.