The 2021 BC Homicide Victim List is available here

Firefighters were called to Greentree Village Park off Garden Grove Drive for a bush and grass fire at approximately 1:50am.

Police said the remains were located by firefighters, meters away from a playground in the Greentree Village Park, in the area of Garden Grove Drive near Village Drive.

Det. Lara Jansen of the IHIT said police arrived to find “evidence of burning.” The remains were so badly burned, that police have not been able to determine if the remains are male or female.

Information will be added as it becomes available. Police want to hear from anyone with information, CCTV or dash cam video from the area. If you have information that could help investigators, you’re asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448)

Update March 25th
Cpl. Frank Jang of the IHIT identified the victim as Ma Cecilia Loreto, 47, who was also known by the name Mycel. Loreto was a recent immigrant from the Philippines, and the IHIT believes that “Ma Cecilia was in fact killed at her residence in New Westminster earlier that evening”

Carlo Tobias, 21, and a 15-year-old were arrested and face charges of first-degree murder and indignity to human remains. The victim and both accused were known each other, however, police did not elaborate on their relationship.

Update March 22, 2022
Carlo Tobias pleaded guilty to manslaughter and accessory after the fact. He was originally charged with first-degree murder and indignity to human remains, along with a 15-year-old who cannot be identified.

According to court reports Tobias punched Ma Cecillia Loreto in the face at her home, but did not participate in the stabbing.