Bio

Roch "Moïse" Thériault was born on May 16, 1947, in the Saguenay Valley of Québec, Canada. He was the second of seven children and the eldest son in the Thériault family. When Roch was six years old, his family moved to Thetford Mines, a community in the Eastern Townships. The local school there only went up to the seventh grade, so none of the Thériault children, including Roch, received further education.

Growing up, Roch described his parents as often abusive, particularly his father, Hyacinthe. However, his father denied these claims and insisted he never physically harmed his son. Hyacinthe was a laborer with strong religious beliefs, belonging to a group called the "Union des Electeurs," which had a Catholic basis with some extreme views. This strict environment led Roch to develop a deep disdain for organized religion.

As a child, Roch was outgoing, intelligent, and enjoyed learning. However, as he grew older, he discovered that sharing stories about his tough upbringing gained him sympathy. He began to crave attention and often showcased his abilities. He later developed an interest in spirituality.

Roch married Francine Grenier on November 11, 1967, and they moved to Montréal. They had two sons together, named Roch Sylvain and François. During this time, Roch faced health issues that required surgery for severe ulcers. This led to complications that made him irritable. He became interested in medicine and anatomy and started woodworking as a hobby.

Roch became involved in local politics and joined a group similar to the Shriners. His interest in sex and relationships grew during this period. He began drinking heavily and often used his work as a wood sculptor as an excuse to engage in extramarital affairs.

It was during this time that he came across the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He quickly became a devoted follower and embraced their more conservative lifestyle. He enjoyed selling their literature and took a deep interest in their teachings, especially from the Old Testament.

Around 1977, Roch began attracting followers, and soon he had a group that included several young women. They followed him, leaving their families behind, and they created a commune. They lived together and followed Roch's lead, believing he was in touch with divine teachings.

Roch continued to grow his influence, claiming he was a reincarnation of the prophet Moses, and he insisted that his followers adhere to strict rules. Around this time, he also started marrying his followers, even though he did not have the religious authority to do so. As he gained more followers, his behavior became more manipulative and controlling, laying the groundwork for what would eventually become a dangerous cult environment.

Murder Story

Roch Thériault, also known as "Moïse," was involved in several criminal acts while leading a small religious group. His most notable crime occurred in September 1988 when he killed his legal wife, Solange Boilard. He attempted to perform surgery on her, resulting in her death from disembowelment.

His arrest took place on October 6, 1989, after an incident in which he severely injured another member, Gabrielle Lavallée, by amputating part of her arm with a meat cleaver. Thériault had previously been known for mutilating his followers and exerting extreme control over them.

On January 18, 1993, he was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes. He was denied parole in 2002 due to his ongoing danger to society. Thériault's actions included other forms of abuse and manipulation of his followers, which led to serious injuries and the death of other members, including children. He remains one of Canada's notorious criminals.