Ottawa Murderer Dies at Millhaven After Just Over a Year Inside
Ottawa's ongoing connection to organized crime resurfaced this week with the death of Michael Clairoux, the man convicted of killing Hells Angels associate Greg Slewidge. Clairoux, 52, died Friday at Millhaven Institution — one of Canada's maximum-security federal penitentiaries — having served just over one year of a life sentence.
Correctional Service Canada confirmed the death but did not disclose the circumstances, which is standard practice pending an investigation. Deaths in federal custody are routinely reviewed by the Correctional Service and can trigger an independent inquiry depending on the cause.
The Crime Behind the Sentence
Greg Slewidge was a recruit — sometimes called a hangaround or prospect — associated with the Hells Angels, one of the most well-known outlaw motorcycle clubs in the world with a notable presence in Ontario and Quebec. His killing drew attention to the intersection of organized crime and everyday violence that occasionally surfaces in the Ottawa region.
Clairoux was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with Slewidge's death, a charge that carries an automatic life sentence in Canada with no possibility of parole for 25 years. That he died after just over one year behind bars means he will have served a small fraction of that sentence.
What Happens When Someone Dies in Federal Custody
Deaths at federal institutions like Millhaven are not uncommon, and the causes range from natural illness to violence to self-inflicted harm. Under Canadian law, the Correctional Service is required to notify next of kin and conduct an internal review. In cases where the death appears non-natural, the Ontario Provincial Police or local police may also be involved.
Millhaven Institution, located near Bath, Ontario — roughly two hours from Ottawa — houses some of Canada's most serious offenders. It is a maximum-security facility known for its strict environment and history of notable inmates.
The Correctional Service's decision not to release details is consistent with its privacy protocols, though families of victims — like Slewidge's — are typically notified before any public announcement.
Ottawa's Organized Crime Landscape
The Ottawa-Gatineau region has seen periodic flare-ups tied to motorcycle club activity and organized crime networks over the decades. Cases like this one serve as reminders that serious criminal networks operate in and around the capital, even if they rarely dominate the daily news cycle the way they do in Montreal or Toronto.
For residents, Clairoux's death closes one chapter of a case that wound its way through the courts and ended with a life sentence — one that, as it turns out, lasted far shorter than the law intended.
Source: CBC Ottawa
