Brendan Lemieux, son of NHL veteran Claude Lemieux, informed police that his father had relapsed into sex addiction prior to his death by suicide, according to newly released body camera footage. Brendan Lemieux spoke with investigators from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on May 28, the day he found his father deceased at their family’s home-design business in Lake Park, Florida.
"Long story short," Brendan Lemieux stated in the video, obtained by The California Post, "my mom finds out that he’s not sober anymore. And that's what triggered this tonight."
When questioned about his father's potential alcohol consumption, Brendan clarified that Claude's primary struggle was with sex addiction, rather than alcohol. He indicated that his father had been sober from sex addiction for over a decade, but about a year prior to his death, he and his mother, Deborah, began to suspect a relapse.
Brendan described observed behavioral changes in his father, stating, "We've noticed changes in his behavior, and recently, it’s spiraled completely." He added that Claude had been "lashing out" and "not being nice to people."
His mother confronted Claude, who then confessed, leading her to tell him to leave their home around 10:30 p.m. on May 27. Brendan Lemieux grew concerned hours later when he noticed his father's location had changed to their business. He drove to the location to check on him and subsequently found him deceased in the back of the building.
An incident report from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office indicated that Claude Lemieux had written several messages to his family on his notes app and left a Post-it on his phone with access instructions. Authorities described these messages as "heartfelt in nature, reflected sorrow for his decision, and were consistent with that of a suicide note."
Claude Lemieux, 60, played 21 seasons in the NHL for teams including the New Jersey Devils and the Montreal Canadiens. He won four Stanley Cups and the Conn Smythe Trophy during his career.
For those struggling with suicidal thoughts or experiencing a mental health crisis, free and confidential crisis counseling is available by calling or texting 988, or by chatting at 988lifeline.org.