Lise Fredette declared legally dead

Lise Fredette has finally been declared dead.

The Superior Court of Justice approved a declaration of death for Fredette on Tuesday.

Stéphane and Nathalie Leclerc, Fredette’s children, needed the declaration to be able to administer their mother’s estate.

Fredette was last seen on Nov. 12, 2014 after leaving her shift at Walmart on Chemong Rd.

Her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Watson, was charged and convicted of the first-degree murder and harassment of Fredette after a trial by jury in April 2017.

Fredette’s blood was found in the trunk of his vehicle and on the handle of a shovel sitting in bleach in his basement.

Yet her body has never been found, hence why the declaration was needed.

“It’s an emotional day for the family, because ultimately it brings a bit of closure to them,” said Jeff Ayotte, the Leclerc’s lawyer.

Stéphane and Nathalie are suing Watson, 80, for more than $1 million in damages for loss of care, guidance and companionship and past and future loss of income. Funds would also be used to pay for Fredette’s funeral.

They started their civil court action in June.

Watson was served with legal papers in the Millhaven Institute in Bath in July, but didn’t respond, ultimately filing no defence.

Since then, a court order was approved to freeze his assets.

Because Watson didn’t claim a defence, the case will go straight to a judge, hopefully by mid-November, Ayotte said.

It’s then up to the judge to decide on a monetary ruling.