The hockey world had already been rattled on Thursday by the publication of the official incident report outlining Claude Lemieux’s last moments. However, Brendan Lemieux, the former NHL star’s son, used Instagram late that evening to send a statement that Sportsnet writer Eric Engels immediately termed a “must-read.”
Brendan, who has played in the NHL, recounted the incident on July 16 at about 10 p.m. ET. Shortly after it was made public, Engels highlighted the Instagram message on social media, garnering instant interest from both the media and fans.
Only a few hours after authorities released the specifics of Claude Lemieux’s death on May 28 at the age of 60, the statement was published.
These facts described Brendan’s painful experiences on the night his father passed away.
However, Brendan claims in his statement that a number of personal facts were revealed by the media, and some of them are entirely made-up. He expressed gratitude for all the community’s affection and support and begged them to abstain from spreading rumors and conjecture. Despite Brendan’s desire for his father to be honored, the post is tragic.
According to the incident report, which was published by various blogs and media outlets, over the previous year, the Lemieux family had seen alarming alterations in Claude’s conduct. They feared the four-time Stanley Cup champion may have relapsed after 12 years of sobriety.
On the evening of May 27, Claude’s wife Deborah confronted him directly about those concerns. The report states Claude acknowledged the relapse, and Deborah asked him to leave the family home around 10:30 PM.
Deborah then called Brendan, and the two discussed how to best support Claude through the crisis. Later that night, Brendan tracked his father’s phone location to the family business, drove there, and found Claude’s truck in the parking lot.
Aware that his father kept a firearm in the vehicle’s glove compartment, and deeply concerned given the emotional gravity of the situation, Brendan removed the weapon and secured it in his own car before entering the building.
When Brendan went inside the warehouse, he found his father and called 911 at 3:24 AM. Claude was pronounced dead minutes later.
Investigators noted a cellphone near Claude’s body with a message displayed on it. A bag of THC edibles was also found at the scene, though the toxicology report returned negative results for all substances tested.
This is the last time I will share the report looking to support Brendan in his statement.
Claude Lemieux, who won championships with Montreal, New Jersey, Colorado, and remains one of the most decorated playoff performers in NHL history, is survived by Deborah and his four children.
For now, the hockey world continues to rally around the Lemieux family as they navigate their grief under an increasingly public spotlight. Brendan’s decision to speak out in the wake of the report’s release signals a family determined to process their loss on their own terms.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org.
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