Husband of homicide victim Trina Hunt charged with indignity to human remains

The husband of Trina Hunt, whose remains were found near Hope, B.C., more than four years ago, has been charged with one count of indignity to human remains in connection with the unsolved homicide of the Port Moody, B.C., woman.

Iain Hunt, 52, was charged on Tuesday, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), but is not in custody. His first court appearance is scheduled for March 5 in Port Coquitlam.

Trina Hunt, 48, was reported missing from her house in the Heritage Mountain neighbourhood by her husband on Jan. 18, 2021.

But according to online court information, Iain Hunt is alleged to have interfered with his wife's remains on Jan 16, 2021, two days earlier.

WATCH | Charge laid in Trina Hunt's homicide explained:

Husband of homicide victim Trina Hunt charged with indignity to human remains

4 hours ago

Duration 1:49

The husband of Trina Hunt, whose remains were found near Hope more than four years ago, has been arrested and charged with one count of indignity to human remains in connection with the unsolved death of the Port Moody woman. Jon Hernandez reports.

Hunts' remains were found near Hope in March 2021. IHIT has confirmed her death was a homicide, but how investigators reached that conclusion has not been revealed. 

A charge of indignity to human remains "occurs when a person neglects to perform their legal duty to bury a dead human body, or if a person interferes in an improper, indecent or undignified way with a dead human body or human remains," according to police. 

Stephanie Ibbott, who is married to Trina Hunt's cousin, said she's upset that Trina's homicide remains unsolved.

"Honestly, disappointment that it's been four years, and that's all we've got," said Ibbott after Iain Hunt was charged Tuesday. "I mean, ultimately, this charge ties into Trina's murder, which is good. But we were hoping for murder charges."

Ibbott has been a driving force in the Justice for Trina Hunt campaign, which is offering $50,000 for information that leads to a murder charge.

Before her remains were identified, supporters organized extensive searches for Trina involving hundreds of people in the area around her home. The campaign also distributed lawn signs, posters, and stickers to raise public awareness of the case and generate tips. 

IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong said investigators filtered through 140 tips and are still open to new information that could lead to new charges.

"What's important is that there has been a four-year investigation invested into this case, and the evidence has been presented to the court, and the charge that has been approved is an indignity to human remains," she said.

Fong said the cause of death will be revealed in court proceedings.

IHIT said it worked with the Port Moody Police Department, Integrated Forensic Identification Services, B.C. Coroners Service and E Division RCMP during the four-year investigation.