Victims of unsolved 1960 murder in St. Michel: why the hands-in-pockets?

Rejean Raymond, 22, and Arsene Malo, 37, were shot dead execution-style with bullets to the head on October 4, 1960  behind an apartment building at 8225 24th Ave. St. Michel. 

This horrific photo of the gruesome crime scene appeared in an edition of the Montreal Matin newspaper 11 years later. 

Articles noted that the duo both had their hands stuffed into their front pockets when found lifeless. Some suggested that it indicated that they were shot so suddenly that they had no time to remove their hands from their pockets. 

Another pointed out that the men were armed, so perhaps the gunman had them stuff their hands in that place as a method of ensuring they don't reach for their guns. Newspapers suggested that the executor employed a silencer, as none of the neighbors heard gunshots. 

The 1971 article claimed that the hands-in-pockets pose was sign that the victims were killed for owing money to loansharks. This is not something Coolopolis has seen elsewhere so we remain skeptical of that conclusion. 

A news article published immediately following to their deaths mentioned that the duo were well known in the tough spots on St. Lawrence Blvd and had served as bodyguards for a figure involved in illegal underground robberies that thrived in Montreal, as police turned a blind eye to it for several years. 

The lotteries isnpired a number of unsolved murders during that period. I have endeavored to tackle this subject in my upcoming book Want In? You're In: The West End Gang Story.