About Allan Legere
Allan Legere, born on February 13, 1948, infamously known as the “Monster of the Miramichi” stands as one of Canada’s most notorious serial killers.
His 201-day reign of terror in the late 1980s left a deep and lasting scar on the province of New Brunswick, where he brutally murdered four people during a series of violent home invasions.
Legere’s 1989 escape from prison—while serving a life sentence for his role in the 1986 murder of John Glendenning, committed alongside accomplices Scott Curtis and Todd Matchett—sparked a seven-month crime spree that instilled widespread fear, particularly in the Miramichi region. His eventual recapture on November 24, 1989, and subsequent trial made national headlines, cementing his place as one of Canada’s most infamous criminals.
NAME: Allan Joseph Legere
ALIAS: The Monster of the Miramichi
DOB: February 13, 1948
COUNTRY: Chatham, New Brunswick, Canada
VICTIMS: 7 (2 survived)
ARRESTED: November 24, 1989
SENTENCE: 1991 – Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 25 years
PRISON: The Atlantic Institution, Renous, New Brunswick (escaped in 1989), Sainte-Anne-des-Plains, Quebec (1991), Edmonton Institution, Alberta since 2015
ACCOMPLICE: Scott Curtis
WHERE IS Allan Legere NOW?
- Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 25 years (1991)
Allan Legere is currently still imprisoned at the Edmonton Institution, a maximum-security facility in Quebec.
Classified as a dangerous offender because of the extreme violence of his crimes, he is deemed highly unlikely to ever be released.
Over the years, Legere has periodically sought parole, but all his applications have been rejected due to the heinous nature of his offenses and the enduring threat he poses to the public.
Newly released parole records reveal he was actively planning another prison escape the same year he was convicted. The shocking details emerge from an eight-page Parole Board decision following his denied January 13 hearing. [3] “According to file information, you have a history of attempting to, and being successful in, escaping from custody,”. It continues “In 1987 you attempted to escape twice, in 1989 you did escape, and in 1991 you attempted once again to escape.” Furthermore, “In regards to the 1991 attempt, file information relays that your plan to escape custody included an intention of taking a female staff hostage.”[4]
The documents disclose an alarming 2019 security breach at Edmonton Institution’s maximum-security unit, where correctional officers discovered a weapon hidden inside Legere’s cell television. This finding underscores the notorious killer’s ongoing danger and persistent attempts to circumvent institutional security. [3]
- Jan 13, 2021: Denied day and full parole [1]
- May 2019: Weapon found in the television during X ray [3]
- Nov 2015: Eligible for full parole [2]
- Nov 2012: Eligible for day parole [2]
[1] CBC News: Killer Allan Legere denied parole after asking why he can’t be forgiven – January 13, 2021
[2] Global News: Allan Legere, dubbed the ‘Monster of the Miramichi’, denied parole – January 13, 2021
[3] CTV News: Parole board decision notes Allan Legere planned escape in year of murder conviction – January 20, 2021
[4] CBC News: Parole board decision notes Allan Legere planned another escape after murder conviction – January 21, 2021
CRIMES COMMITTED
Allan Legere’s violent crimes began in 1986 when he and two accomplices, Scott Curtis and Todd Matchett, attacked shopkeeper John Glendenning and his wife Mary in Black River Bridge, New Brunswick. During the robbery, John was beaten to death, and Mary was severely assaulted but survived. Legere was convicted of this crime and sentenced to life in prison.
However, his most infamous crimes occurred after he escaped from custody in May 1989 while being transported to a medical appointment. Over the next seven months, he terrorized the Miramichi area, breaking into homes and brutally murdering his victims.
1986 John Glendenning
John Glendenning, a storekeeper, was brutally beaten and strangled to death during a robbery carried out by Legere and his accomplices, Scott Curtis and Todd Matchett. Glendenning’s wife was tied up, severely beaten, and sexually assaulted during the same attack.
May 28, 1989 Annie and Nina Flam
Annie Flam, who owned a local grocery store, lived in the apartment above it, while her sister-in-law, Nina, resided in the same building. Both women were brutally beaten and sexually assaulted. Following the attacks, Legere set their apartments on fire. Nina was rescued and survived the ordeal. Annie, however, had been tucked into bed and died before the fire broke out, likely due to her severe injuries and the aspiration of her vomit.
October 13, 1989 Linda and Donna Daughney
Linda and Donna, sisters who shared a home in Newcastle, were subjected to horrific torture and sexual assault before their deaths. Their house was set on fire after the attacks. Donna died from the severe beating she endured, as well as from aspirating her vomit. Linda, on the other hand, was stabbed, partially strangled, and suffered a broken jaw.
November 15, 1989 James Smith
James Smith, a Roman Catholic priest, endured hours of relentless violence, including being kicked, pounded, beaten, and struck repeatedly, before he ultimately died from injuries.
CAPTURE & INVESTIGATION
The investigation into Allan Legere’s crimes stands as one of the most extensive and complex in Canadian history. After his escape from prison in May 1989, law enforcement agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and local police forces, initiated a massive manhunt to apprehend the violent fugitive. The case grew increasingly challenging as Legere evaded capture for seven months, during which he committed a series of brutal murders, home invasions, and arson attacks.
Allan Legere was serving a life sentence for the 1986 murder of John Glendenning when he escaped custody on May 3, 1989. While being transported from prison to the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont Hospital in Moncton for treatment of an ear infection, Legere overpowered the guards, stole their weapon, and fled.
Authorities immediately launched a search but faced significant obstacles due to the rural terrain of New Brunswick’s Miramichi region. Legere exploited dense forests, abandoned buildings, and his intimate knowledge of the area to evade capture.
Shortly after his escape, Legere resumed his violent spree. The first known murder during this period was the killing of Annie Flam in June 1989. Over the following months, he committed a string of similarly brutal crimes, including the murder of Father James Smith, a local Catholic priest.
The breakthrough came in November 1989 when police received a tip that Legere was using public transportation. Undercover officers monitored train and bus stations, leading to his arrest on November 24, 1989, at the Newcastle train station.
At the time of his capture, Legere was heavily armed and had altered his appearance, but officers quickly subdued him. His arrest marked the end of one of the most terrifying crime waves in Canadian history.
The investigation into Allan Legere was groundbreaking in several respects: it underscored the importance of forensic DNA evidence, highlighted the difficulties of tracking a fugitive in a rural environment, and emphasized the need for enhanced security measures when transporting dangerous criminals. His eventual capture brought relief to the residents of New Brunswick, who had lived in fear for months, and his trial set a precedent for the use of DNA evidence in Canadian courts.
TRIAL & CONVICTIONS
The trial of Allan Legere stands as one of the most significant criminal cases in Canadian history. Not only was it widely publicized due to the extreme brutality of his crimes, but it also marked the first time in Canada that a conviction was secured using DNA evidence, which conclusively linked him to the offenses. This case represented a landmark moment for forensic science in Canada, showcasing the transformative power of DNA in criminal investigations.
After a seven-week trial, on November 2, 1991, the jury found Allan Legere guilty on all four counts of first-degree murder. Legere was also charged with arson and sexual assault, and the trial resulted in his conviction, ensuring he would never again pose a threat to society.
Since Canada abolished the death penalty in 1976, Legere was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 25 years. However, given the horrific nature of his crimes and the undeniable danger he posed, Legere was classified as a dangerous offender. This designation makes it highly unlikely he will ever be released, as he would need to prove he is no longer a threat to society before being eligible to apply for parole.
To this day, Legere’s name remains synonymous with terror in the Miramichi region, where the memory of his brutal crimes continues to haunt the community.
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REFERENCES / CITATIONS:
1. CBC News: Parole board decision notes Allan Legere planned another escape after murder conviction – Jan 21, 2021
2. CBC News: Killer Allan Legere denied parole after asking why he can’t be forgiven – January 13, 2021
3. Global News: Allan Legere, dubbed the ‘Monster of the Miramichi’, denied parole – January 13, 2021
4. CTV News: Parole board decision notes Allan Legere planned escape in year of murder conviction – January 20, 2021
5. The Canadian Encyclopedia: The Canadian Encyclopedia: Allan Legere Case – September 19, 2017
6. UNB: Allan Legere digital archive
7. UNB: New Brunswick Court of Appeal (PDF)
8. CBC News: Convicted murderer and accomplice of notorious serial killer Allan Legere dead at 52 – June 17, 2019
BOOKS ABOUT Allan Legere
Escaped Killer: The True Story of Serial Killer Allan Legere
When this killer was on the loose, citizens were vigilant, yet scared. Children were not allowed outside to play without adult supervision. But then he was captured, tried, convicted, and put away for life in prison…
TV SHOWS & DOCS FEATURING Allan Legere
Born to kill? S7.E1 – Allan Legere: Monster of the Miramichi
Residents and journalists recall the masterfully elusive Monster of the Miramichi, an escaped convict and former resident whose brutality kept them terrorized in 1989 Canada.
TV Series / Documentary | 2011
YOUTUBE
Note: Symbol denotes the show/episode is currently available to watch on youtube: We will list the main youtube channel where available, but wont link to channels directly on the page. Please see the comments section for links to specific shows/episodes.
MORE ARTICLES ABOUT Allan Legere
A selection of interesting articles about Allan Legere, sourced and curated from around the web:
Parole board decision notes Allan Legere planned another escape after murder conviction
CBC News | Author: Michael Tutton | Jan 21, 2021
Parole board decision notes Allan Legere planned escape in year of murder conviction
CTV News | Author: The Canadian Press | January 20, 2021
Killer Allan Legere denied parole after asking why he can’t be forgiven
CBC News | Author: Vikram Dodd | January 13, 2021
Allan Legere, dubbed the ‘Monster of the Miramichi’, denied parole
Global News | Author: The Canadian Press | January 13, 2021
Convicted murderer and accomplice of notorious serial killer Allan Legere dead at 52
CBC News | Author: Bobbi-Jean MacKinnon | June 17, 2019
