Millionaire animator feared dead after burned car found in Caribbean

Softimage founder Daniel Langlois whose work was used in Jurassic Park and Star Wars is feared dead with his partner in a burned out car in Dominica – after opening a luxury resort

  • Daniel Langlois, 66, and Dominique Marchand, from Quebec, were reported missing on Saturday before two charred bodies were found on the island
  • He is  the founder of Softimage, which created 3D animations software for major Hollywood big-budget films
  • The couple opened an off-the-grid resort in Dominica in 2022

A millionaire Canadian entrepreneur and his partner are feared dead after two charred bodies were found inside a burned car in the Caribbean island of Dominica.

Daniel Langlois, 66, and Dominique Marchand, both from Quebec, were reported missing on Friday and the burned vehicle matches a description of their car, according to local reports. 

Global Affairs Canada acknowledged the deaths of two Canadian citizens on the island but has not named them. Dominica police is also yet to confirm their identities. 

‘Canadian officials continue to monitor the situation closely, are engaging with local authorities and providing consular assistance. Due to privacy considerations, no further information can be disclosed,’ the office said.

Dominica police said the intense fire in the car made identifying the bodies impossible, and they are relying on ‘circumstantial evidence to connect them to the missing couple.’ 

Daniel Langlois, 66, and Dominique Marchand, both from Quebec, are feared dead after they went missing on Friday and a car matching theirs was found torched with two bodies inside

Dominica police said the intense fire in the car made identifying the bodies impossible

Langlois is known as the founder of Softimage, which created 3D animations software for movies like Jurassic Park, Men in Black and Star Wars

Dominica News Online reported that three suspects were taken into custody in connection with the deaths.

Langlois is known as the founder of Softimage, which created 3D animations software for movies like Jurassic Park, Men in Black and Star Wars. 

The entrepreneur sold the company to Microsoft in 1994 for $200 million and went on to found the Daniel Langlois Foundation for the Art, Sciences and Technology.

In October 2022 the couple opened a luxury, off-the-grid resort, Coulibri Ridge, on 200 acres of land on the island, which is located between Guadeloupe and Martinique.

They reportedly worked on the project for 20 years.

Langlois was beloved in Canada and Dominica, with many honoring him on social media following reports of his death. 

Canada’s minister of Canadian Heritage, Pascale St-Onge wrote: ‘Daniel Langlois, a visionary in digital technologies and cinema, has left us. His legacy reflects his innovative spirit. My thoughts are with his loved ones.’

Daoust Dupes, a resident of the island, said on Facebook: ‘Today my heart is heavy. I’m angry. I’m in tears. This couple were one of the sweetest who ever graced our shores. They did so much for this island. Investors par excellence. Just ask their employees, heritage enthusiasts, marine, land and wildlife conservationists, animal lovers, the community of Soufriere.

In October 2022 the couple opened a luxury, off-the-grid resort, Coulibri Ridge, on 200 acres of land on the island

The couple reportedly worked on the project, seen above, for 20 years

‘A real tragedy that will result in more income loss for the people of Dominica. Thanks Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand you made this world a better place.’

Travel writer Jim Byers wrote on X: ‘Shocked and devastated to hear the news of the deaths of Canadian businessman/visionary Daniel Langlois and his wife, Dominique Marchand. They built the incredible Coulibri Ridge resort on Dominica and had me for a tour and lunch in January. So sad.’

And fan Paul Chato added: ‘Daniel Langlois has been found dead in the Dominican Republic. For those who are 3D animators, Langlois pioneered SoftImage 3D, the most advanced character animation software of its time. Reboot was produced with it as was the dinosaur in Jurassic Park. Sad.’

On November 3, the government of Dominica gave Langlois a ‘Meritorious Service Award for his contributions to sustainable development and research projects,’ as reported by Dominica News Online.

Langlois was a dual Canadian-Dominican citizen. 

DailyMail.com has reached out to the Daniel Langlois Foundation for comment on this story.

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