Henri Seguin’s story is one of crime, defiance, and mystery, tied to one of Ontario’s most haunted locations, the SDG Jail.
A Grim Night in Cornwall
The date was January 18, 1954, and the small Ontario town of Cornwall was preparing for a grim event—an execution. The gallows had been readied, the noose tested, and the hangman summoned for the solemn task. All that remained was the condemned man, Henri Seguin, who sat in his cell at the Cornwall Jail (known as the Historic SDG Jail today), counting down the hours to his execution. But fate, or perhaps Seguin himself, had other plans.
Criminal Past Across Provinces
Henri Seguin’s life was a dark web of violence, crime, and secrets. Among his many offences was a daring attempted bank robbery at Williams Lake, British Columbia, in December 1952. Seguin carjacked bank manager, Leonard Hillier, and at gunpoint forced him to drive to the bank. Once inside, Seguin’s robbery was interrupted when two men entered through the back door. A chaotic gunfight ensued, during which Hillier was shot and wounded. Seguin fled the scene but was eventually captured by RCMP officers after an intense manhunt, suffering a significant injury himself. Following his conviction and sentencing for the bank robbery in British Columbia—a crime that had already cemented his infamy—he was extradited to Ontario to stand trial for the murder of Leonard Hurd, further unravelling the dark depths of his criminal past.
The Murder of Leonard Hurd
A few months earlier, on August 26, 1952, the body of Leonard Hurd, 41, a popular local businessman, was found inside his taxi near Maxville, Ontario. Known to carry large quantities of cash, Mr. Hurd was well-liked in the community. Ontario Provincial Police were given a description of a “tall stranger” who neighbours had seen lurking around his residence on Saturday night. When his body was discovered, police noted he was not wearing socks, leading them to suspect Mr. Hurd had been forced from his home by the killer.
Police investigations soon pointed to Seguin, who had been involved in other crimes and whose fingerprints were linked to the case. Witnesses testified that Seguin had coldly boasted about how “easy” it would be to rob and kill Hurd. After being escorted back to Ontario for a swift and damning trial, an all-male jury found Seguin guilty and sentenced him to hang. His pleas of innocence fell on deaf ears. But his story did not end there.
A Defiant Final Act
In the days leading up to his execution, Seguin penned a 37-page letter addressed to his sister, vowing he would not let them “hang him like a dog.” The rambling document was part confession, part diatribe, and part farewell. In it, Seguin admitted to many of his crimes but maintained his innocence regarding Hurd’s murder. He lamented his treatment in prison and expressed love for his family, urging his three brothers to live good lives.
Seguin’s final hours were marked by a bizarre and dramatic sequence of events. As one report noted, “At 11:15 p.m., [shortly before the hanging was to take place] Seguin collapsed in his cell, writhing in violent convulsions. The guards and jail doctor rushed to his aid, but within minutes, he was still and pronounced dead.” An autopsy would later reveal that he had ingested cyanide, a poison he had likely concealed for months, perhaps as far back as his capture.
Seguin’s death sparked widespread speculation and intrigue. A headline declared, “Hangman Cheated of His Job,” while questions arose about how Seguin had managed to smuggle poison into his cell. The discovery of a metal vial suggested a careful and deliberate plan. Some wondered if he’d been aided by an accomplice, though no evidence of external help was ever confirmed.
Lingering Questions and a Chilling Cold Case
Adding another layer to this dark tale was Seguin’s connection to a chilling cold case. Frederick and Jeanne Labrie, a young couple from Kamloops, British Columbia, vanished without a trace on November 17, 1952. Seguin, who had been staying with them shortly before their disappearance, and not long after Hurd’s death, denied involvement but admitted to selling their belongings after claiming they had “left gone looking for work.” Their remains were discovered three years later in a ravine, reigniting interest in Seguin’s role and casting a dark shadow over his already infamous name.
Henri Seguin cheated the gallows, leaving behind a legacy shrouded in intrigue and unanswered questions. His calculated defiance in his final moments, combined with the violent acts that defined his life, offers a chilling glimpse into the darker corners of human behaviour.
The Paranormal Legacy of the SDG Jail
Today, visitors to the SDG Jail in Cornwall, Ontario, can step into the very cell where Seguin spent his final moments. Known as one of the most paranormally active sites in the region, the jail has produced chilling evidence during investigations, including vulgar EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena). Previous visitors have reported unexplainable chills and hearing whispers near Seguin’s cell, adding an unnerving sense of presence to the site. Some believe these unsettling messages may come from Seguin himself, given his violent and rebellious nature, adding an unnerving layer of mystery to the site. As part of our paranormal investigations hosted by Phantoms of Yore, guests are invited to explore the jail’s eerie corridors and ponder the chilling legacy of some of its most notable inmates. Dare to visit, and you may feel the lingering presence of a man who eluded justice—but not death.