THE Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said on Wednesday that it continued its investigation into the homicide of a 30-year-old woman that began on January 15 for which Sondeep Singh Gill of Abbotsford had been previously arrested and charged.

As a result of further efforts by IHIT investigators, on February 3, the BC Prosecution Service approved an upgraded charge from second-degree murder to first-degree murder. Gill has also been charged with one count of indignity to human remains.

“Despite charges having already been laid, IHIT investigators did not stop their investigation there,” said Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT. “Murder is the most serious offence which is why we must strive to collect the best evidence available rather than just sufficient evidence, and this case is a good example of that.”

Police had said that on January 16 that the details about the relationship between the woman and Gill were part of the ongoing investigation.

At approximately 11:42 a.m. on January 15, Abbotsford Police Department patrol officers responded to a report of a suspicious circumstance at a local hotel in the 32100-block of Marshall Road.

Upon arrival, officers secured the scene and confirmed the incident was contained to a room within the hotel. Further evidence was quickly obtained, confirming the incident as a homicide. One man was arrested and remained in police custody pending further investigation.

Police said this was an isolated incident and not believed to be connected to ongoing extortions.