Charges laid in homicide of Ma Cecilia Loreto of New Westminster (update)

CARLO Tobias, 21, and a 15-year-old youth have been charged in connection with the murder of Ma Cecilia Loreto, whose burned body was was discovered in Burnaby’s Greentree Village Park on March 18 at 1:57 a.m., the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) announced on Wednesday.

Loreto’s death was deemed a homicide. IHIT took conduct of the case and determined that she was likely killed at her New Westminster residence earlier in the evening of March 17 before being brought to the area of the park where she was ultimately discovered.

On March 23, Tobias and a 15-year-old youth were arrested and each later charged with first-degree murder and indignity to human remains in connection with Loreto’s death.

Police said this is believed to be an isolated incident with no connections to any of the other recent acts of violence. All the parties involved knew each other.

“Our deepest condolences go out to everyone affected by the death of Ma Cecilia, who was known to her friends and colleagues as Maricel or Mycel,” said IHIT Sgt. Frank Jang. “IHIT also recognizes the important contributions made by its partners from the Burnaby RCMP, the New Westminster Police, and the Richmond RCMP over these past few days. Long hours and long days were put in by everyone to speedily and efficiently gather evidence.”

If anyone has information about this investigation, call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Should you wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).