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Boucher has a minor criminal record for assault causing bodily harm for an offence back in April 2011. He was given a suspended sentence in 2012, which included a weapons ban and 18 months of probation.

Witnesses at the party were simultaneously grieving the loss of Boucher but also stunned this happened between friends.

A resident of the home refused to speak to the Citizen on Thursday afternoon.

Friends and family mourned the young man online, posting that he was “gone but never forgotten.”

Boucher’s cousin Brad Champagne said Brian lived for his music and his family and was considered a superstar among his loved ones, who doted on him.

“For him to be murdered leaves such an empty feeling,” Champagne said. “I don’t know what to feel. I don’t think anyone from our family does.”

Several family members spoke to Boucher hours before he was stabbed, and they hoped together that he would pull through.

“Turns out it was the last time any one of us would be able to talk to him.”

Champagne said that his cousin “definitely didn’t deserve” what happened to him, but that the family is trying to cope.

“I love him and I’ll miss him tremendously,” he said. “I’m heartbroken.”

Boucher is also survived by his parents and siblings.

Anyone with information about the killing is asked to call the homicide squad at 613-236-1222, ext. 5493. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers toll free at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or by downloading the Ottawa police app.

— With files from Megan Gillis and Joe Lofaro

syogaretnam@postmedia.com

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