Trina Hunt murder: Husband charged

Years after Port Moody woman Trina Hunt was reported missing, and her body later found in a rural area outside of Hope, the Lower Mainland’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says her husband has now been charged.

In an update on Tuesday, IHIT says the BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of indignity to human remains against Iain Hunt.

“This charge 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,” IHIT stated.

Forty-eight-year-old Trina was initially reported missing on Jan. 18, 2021. A massive search was undertaken by police and friends and family members, along with the wider community.

Trina’s family had previously said that on Jan. 15 that year, Trina 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 Trina’s phone said she was on “digital detox” that weekend.

The following day, Iain 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.

In March of that year, police found a body just south of Silver Creek, with IHIT confirming the remains were Trina.

In 2022, a man was taken into custody outside the Hunts’ former Port Moody home. However, that man was later released.

“The laying of a charge does not dilute the loss and pain endured by Trina’s family and friends,” said IHIT Sgt. Freda Fong. “There is still a long road ahead as the community continues to heal from her tragic death.”

“However, today’s outcome is the result of the persistence and dedication by the investigators who were committed to seeing the case through and we must acknowledge this is a step forward as the court process begins.”

Just last month marked the fourth anniversary of Trina’s disappearance.

Fong shared then that tips had dried up, but officers had filtered through more than 140.

1130 NewsRadio pressed Fong on whether Iain was a person of interest in the case.

“I can’t comment on it. It tends to compromise the integrity of the investigation,” she said on Jan. 17.

Fong explained that getting approval for murder charges is difficult.

“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 said.

“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.”

According to court documents online, Iain is set to appear in court on March 5 in Port Coquitlam.

IHIT will speak in front of the media around 1 p.m. Tuesday.

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