IHIT remains tight-lipped about Trina Hunt case four years later

Saturday marks four years since Port Moody woman Trina Hunt, 48, vanished and to date, the high-profile murder case remains unsolved.

Sgt. Freda Fong with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) tells 1130 NewsRadio that more than 130 police officers have been involved in the investigation.

Fong acknowledges Hunt’s death has had a major impact on the community and on the investigators looking for her killer.

“To the family and friends of Trina, and the members of the public who have been following this case intently, we want you to know we hear you, and we’re with you.”

Fong says tips have dried up but officers have filtered through more than 140.

Two years ago, Hunt’s loved ones were given false hope after a man was taken into custody outside Hunt’s former Port Moody home. The man was later released.

1130 NewsRadio pressed Fong on whether Iain Hunt, Trina’s husband, is a person of interest in this case.

“I can’t comment on it. It tends to compromise the integrity of the investigation.”

Fong says getting approval for murder charges is not easy, and that can contribute to why it’s taking so long to see an arrest.

“Part of the challenge is that for murder charges to be laid, the case must meet the charge approval standard for murder. That’s a complicated process that is sometimes referred to as a two-prong test,” she explained.

“What needs to happen is the case must meet substantial likelihood of conviction, as well as public interest. For murder — absolutely, there will be public interest to pursue murder. But the police and Crown Counsel must be concerned about substantial likelihood of conviction and some of the things we must look at is the evidence available.”

From early on in this case, there have been online websites and chatter led by community members trying to solve the case themselves. Fong is asking people to stop.

“People will speculate, that’s beyond our control. We want to be mindful of the fact that we should leave it to the investigators.”

Hunt’s remains were found in March of 2021 near Hope.

Her family had previously said on Jan. 15 that Hunt was active on her phone. On Jan. 16, she received a text from a former colleague but didn’t respond. On Jan. 17, the same co-worker reached out and a reply from Hunt’s phone said she was on “digital detox” that weekend.

The following day, Hunt’s husband reported her missing. At the time, police said he was the last person to see her at their home before he left for work that morning.

1130 NewsRadio reached out to her family for comment, but they declined. IHIT says the investigation remains active and ongoing.