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

A Canadian millionaire entrepreneur and his partner have been found dead in a burned-out car on the Caribbean island of Dominica.

Daniel Langlois, 66, and Dominique Marchand, both from Quebec, disappeared Friday and the burned vehicle matched a description of their car, local reports say.

The Daniel Langlois Foundation confirmed on Monday that Langlous and Blanchard died 'in tragic circumstances'.

Global Affairs Canada acknowledged the deaths of two Canadian citizens on the island but did not provide names.

“Canadian officials continue to monitor the situation closely, working with local authorities and providing consular assistance. Due to privacy concerns, no further information can be released,” the office said.

Daniel Langlois, 66, and his partner were found dead on Friday after going missing

Langlois ran an eco-resort on the Caribbean island with his partner Dominique Marchand

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

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

Dominica News Online reported that four suspects had been taken into custody in connection with the deaths.

Dominica Minister of Justice, Immigration and National Security Rayburn Blackmoore told CTV News that four people have been taken into custody in connection with the deaths: three non-citizens and one national.

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

The entrepreneur sold the company to Microsoft for $200 million in 1994 and subsequently founded 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 hectares of land on the island, located between Guadeloupe and Martinique.

They reportedly worked on the project for twenty years.

Langlois was beloved in Canada and Dominica, and many honored him on social media after 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 am angry. I'm in tears. This couple was one of the sweetest to ever grace our shores. They have done so much for this island. Investors par excellence. Just ask their employees, heritage enthusiasts, marine, land and nature conservationists, animal lovers, the community of Soufrière.

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

Quebecers were committed to their sustainable project in Dominica

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

'A real tragedy that will result in even more loss of income for the people of Dominica. Thank you Daniel Langlois and Dominique Marchand, you made this world a better place.”

Travel writer Jim Byers wrote of They built the incredible Coulibri Ridge resort in Dominica and invited me for a tour and lunch in January. Such a pity.'

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, just like the dinosaur in Jurassic Park. Sad.'

On November 3, the government of Dominica presented Langlois with 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.