Hundreds turn out at Montreal funeral home for 2 children

Hundreds of friends, family andmembers of thepublic showed up Sunday afternoon at an east-end Montreal funeral home to pay respects to two young children whodied late last month.

The visitation for five-year-old Olivier Turcotte and his three-year-old sister Anne-Sophie Turcotte took place Sunday at Complexe Funraire des Trembles.

Visitors, some of whom waitedoutside the funeral home for almost an hour before the viewing began, expressed regret about their short lives and left messages of supportfor the family.

"It's terrible," one visitor told reporters outside the building. "When you hear about it on the news, you can't help but be touched."

The children's bodies were found in their Piedmont, Que., home the morning of Feb. 21 by police. The authorities were contacted by worried relatives who had not heard from their father in some time.

The children's father, Guy Turcotte a 36-year-old cardiologist was foundin the homein need of medical attentionbecause ofa self-inflicteddrug overdose, police said. He was taken to the St-Jrmehealth and social service centre inQuebec's Laurentians region, where doctors recognized him asone of their colleagues.

Hospital director Franois Therrien confirmedTurcotte was having marital problems withhis wife, who is also a doctor at the St-Jrmehospital. She was out of town on a ski tripwhen the incident occurred.

At Sunday's viewing, the children's great-uncle said the family is rallyingaround the mother and giving her support.

"She has phenomenal strength," Yvan Gagnon said, "much stronger than mine."

Guy Turcottehas beencharged with two counts of first-degree murder. Hisnext court appearance is April 30.

Piedmont is about60 kilometres northwest of Montreal.