Neil Travers Suicide

An Ottawa Valley man was killed after meeting a car crash under the influence.
Neil Travers was a doctor and father, a very respected man. But may have been suffering from an ongoing drinking problem. Neil was the driver and was not accompanied by anyone else.
He was described to Inside Ottawa Valley as a smart man, but was also facing many personal challenges which may have caused him to look to alcohol for answers.
Through a backstory it has been discovered that Neil Travers was the oldest Travers’ son from his mother’s first marriage. With a younger brother named Maury Travers. He was also married and had a child.
This crash took place late night after dropping off a woman named Grace at Bailey’s Falls which was not from his hometown of

Ottawa Valley.
Grace was believed to be the last person with Neil before his death. Through an interview she tells Inside Ottawa Valley her take on this tragic event.
Grace explains that Neil was someone who she met in a Thanksgiving dinner not too long ago.

She cut her foot and he was there to help her seek proper medical treatment.
Moments before this crash took place Grace and Neil took turns driving to Bailey’s Falls, where Grace was believed to had been dropped off. When one had gotten tired they would switch or even in this scenario stop and take a break.She expresses her concern for him when he was driving. “The drink had the opposite effect to what drinks were supposed to have on Neil’s driving” states Grace.
While on the road Grace starts to fall asleep and wakes up to Neil and her back on the road. She explains they had stopped at a bootleggers house, something that seemed all too familiar to Neil. Personally herself, she had not ever been to one she says the area to be “at home.”
Grace looks over to see Neil and with the wind that they made blowing around them, there was a whiff of fresh whiskey. They then stopped due to Grace’s bladder problem, as she needed to use the bathroom.
Neil approached an area so she can use the bathroom. Grace had an idea that he was drinking and driving because of earlier when he had not been effected as she was

expecting.
As Grace walked back to the car she noticed a bottle on the floor beside her foot.

She tells Inside Ottawa Valley that the bottle’s content was more than a third gone.
In fear she looks over to Neil who was the one driving at the time. He tells her “oh, don’t worrying” then follows up by saying “I just poured some in here.” Then holds up a flask and explains himself by saying that it is “easier when I’m driving.”
Other things in the car was a coca-cola but Neil tells Grace to look in the glove compartment for a bottle opener. Which were all found when a proper investigation was conducted of Neil’s vehicle The bottle opener found in the glove compartment was cold she says.
Grace and Neil engage in a conversation for the rest of the journey to Bailey’s Falls. And Neil continues to drink as they drive towards their destination.As they both took turns and Neil had fallen asleep in the driver's seat Grace states she helped assist him into the passenger seat. She had to get back to Bailey’s Falls but didn’t know the directions, as it seemed very unfamiliar.

After reaching the destination Grace asked Neil if he was wake enough to drive and he responded with a yes. He proceeded to thank her for her company after dropping her off. She explains that she was amazed to “be back

safely.”

Early the next morning, Grace was given the news about what had happened. She says “she hardly realized it was a time to say goodbye.” The news of Neil Travers death was alarming and saddened her.

She was told that the car had gone into a bridge abutment halfway down the road to Little Sabot Lake. It had been rammed right in and was totally smashed and burned.

Interesting enough there were no other cars involved and apparently no passengers as well. Neil Travers was then identified through dental records as his body was hardly recognizable.

Grace explains that drinking was not the drinking that was responsible but the need to drink- it was some sort of distraction, like everything else.

Was this an attempted suicide? Or just a result of unsafe and irresponsible driving late at night?

The investigation continues, and anyone that may have information is asked to contact Inside Ottawa Valley, or submit an anonymous tip.