Would-be social media star from the Sault charged with murder in L.A.
A man from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., who documented his travels across the U.S. on social media, is in jail in Los Angeles, Calif., and charged with murder, CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca has confirmed.
Jeff Primeau in front of white school bus camper. (Facebook)
Jeffrey Gary Primeau was arrested by the L.A. Police Department West Bureau on Feb. 9, the L.A. County Sheriff's office confirmed on the phone to CTV News.
Primeau is being held at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown L.A., the U.S.'s biggest mental health facility.
His bail is set at $2 million and his next court date is March 14.
Several media outlets are reporting Primeau confessed to killing his girlfriend in self-defence after she allegedly threatened him with a knife around Nov. 22.
The woman's decomposed body was allegedly found in an RV near the L.A. International Airport by police and Primeau was arrested.
Social media posts
CTV News obtained two videos Primeau posted on Nov. 12 to his Facebook account – which was deactivated the evening of Feb. 19 – showing him and a woman inside what looks to be a camper.
Jeff Primeau and woman said they crossed the U.S.-Canada border with no problems. (Facebook)
"So, yeah, we're still finding out a lot about each other, like what our real names are," he said, as a woman with dreadlocks started laughing behind him.
"That's cool … we're going on a cross-country adventure. I was like 'So, my name actually is …' Alright, well, here we go. We’re going to the border with our real names now."
In one of his social media posts, he tagged a woman whose Facebook name is Ashley Strnad and who resembles the one seen in his Nov. 12 video.
Facebook user Ashley Strnad profile pic.
Her Facebook cover photo also shows a short, white school bus, which appears to have been converted into a camper.
White school bus converted into camper (Ashley Strnad Facebook)
- Download the CTV News app now
- Get local breaking news alerts
- Daily newsletter with the top local stories emailed to your inbox
The second video Primeau posted on Nov. 12 said they were able to cross the border successfully and were in Port Huron.
"They let us in," he said as the woman who paces behind him laughs.
"First thing we're going to do, we're going to look for a dispensary and have a little celebration I guess … the adventure begins."
Primeau said the pair crossed the border without a problem.
"They asked where we're going, I said 'Arizona' and they said 'For how long?' I said 'three-four months' and he says 'OK, have a great day,'" he said.
Knife fight
On Nov. 16, Primeau posted a photo on Facebook of him next to a bearded man in a white shirt with a caption that read "After almost getting into a knife fight … I found peace in Texas lol."
Jeff Primeau Facebook post on Nov. 16/23 about almost getting into a knife fight.
In the comments of that post, he mentioned he was making his way to California.
The next day, he posted a photo of himself with someone in a bunny mask and in the comments someone asked "She kick you out of the bus already?"
Primeau replied with a photo of a green tent set up in front of a parked white bus, that appears to be Strnad's.
Jeff Primeau posted a photo of a green tent set up by a white camper bus as a reply to someone asking him in the comments if 'she kicked you out of the bus already?' (Facebook)
Primeau posted on his Facebook page regularly Nov. 16-19 with photos claiming to be in various places in Texas.
His posts stopped for more than a month before resuming Jan. 1. with photos of Salvation Mountain, located east of L.A., saying "I'm alive! Be healthy, happy and humble."
Jeff Primeau post on Facebook on Jan. 1/24
L.A. police have not released the identity of the murder victim.
CTV News has reached out to Strnad and a restaurant that she listed as having worked for through social media, but have not received responses as of publication time.
L.A. police have also not released a photo of the accused.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before residents can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes 'for several weeks.'
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga, Ont.: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Ont., Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six-figure water bill.
FBI says Trump was indeed struck by bullet during assassination attempt
Nearly two weeks after Donald Trump’s near assassination, the FBI confirmed Friday that it was indeed a bullet that struck the former president’s ear, moving to clear up conflicting accounts about what caused the former U.S. president’s injuries after a gunman opened fire at a Pennsylvania rally.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.