cover of episode Kids Who Kill: A Smalltown Tragedy

Kids Who Kill: A Smalltown Tragedy

2024/11/22
logo of podcast Crimehub: A True Crime Podcast

Crimehub: A True Crime Podcast

Key Insights

Why did the Babineau children's parents allow them to stay home alone?

The parents agreed to let Daniel and Monique stay home to babysit the house instead of attending their older brother's hockey game on a rainy Sunday night.

What was the cause of death for Daniel and Monique Babineau?

The Babineau children died of asphyxiation, specifically by strangulation.

How did the community react to the murders of Daniel and Monique?

The community was gripped by fear and paranoia, with parents personally delivering and picking up their children from school, and some keeping their kids at home.

What role did Dungeons & Dragons play in the accused boy's actions?

The accused boy was obsessed with Dungeons & Dragons, particularly with the role of the Dungeon Master, which he believed gave him a need to control others.

What was the outcome of the accused boy's trial?

The boy was found not guilty by reason of insanity and was ordered to be held in strict custody at a youth center until deemed stable to safely participate in society.

How did the father of Daniel and Monique honor their memory?

Their father created Project Angel, an initiative to remember loved ones by restoring a wooden station of an angel in the cemetery where the two children are buried.

What was the impact of the murders on the town of Orangeville?

The murders shattered the town's sense of safety, leading to increased vigilance and fear among residents, and marking the first homicide in the town since 1886.

What was the significance of the Young Offenders Act in the case?

The Young Offenders Act protected the identity of the 13-year-old accused, allowing for a public trial while keeping his identity confidential.

How did the media and public react to the connection between Dungeons & Dragons and the murders?

The connection sparked national outrage and debates about the dangers of popular culture, leading some local school boards to ban the game from school grounds.

What was the final message from Monique to the accused boy before her death?

Before being killed, Monique said, 'I'll pray for you,' which the boy recalled in his confession.

Chapters

The disappearance of Daniel and Monique Babineau on a rainy November evening in 1984 shocked their community. Their bodies were found mere hours later, leading to a frantic investigation.
  • Daniel and Monique disappeared within a 20-minute window after their parents left for a hockey game.
  • Their bodies were discovered in their schoolyard, leading to widespread panic and fear in Orangeville.

Shownotes Transcript

On a rainy November evening in 1984, the peaceful town of Orangeville, Ontario, was shattered by the disappearance of two children, Daniel and Monique Babineau. What began as a frantic search quickly turned into a horrifying tragedy when their bodies were discovered mere hours later, lifeless in their schoolyard. As investigators unraveled the chilling events, a shocking suspect emerged—a 13-year-old boy from the community with a dark confession. The case stirred national outrage, inflamed debates about the dangers of popular culture like Dungeons & Dragons, and left a family forever scarred. Decades later, the haunting memory of that night still lingers, as their father honors their memory through acts of kindness and resilience.

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DISCLAIMER: This episode contains explicit content. Parental guidance is advised for children under the age of 18. Listen at your own discretion.

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