A 21-year-old man and a minor were identified as prime suspects in the killing of a 49-year-old Filipino in the City of Burnaby in Vancouver, Canada.
Canadian police authorities identified the victim as Ma. Cecilia Loreto, an immigrant from the Philippines, whose charred remains were discovered the morning of March 18, 2021 at Greentree Village Park in Burnaby.
Loreto was not only murdered, her body was also dishonored as it was severely burned.
The 21-year-old suspect was identified as Carlo Tobias while the other was not named since he’s only 15.
Reports indicated that residents in Greentree Village called the police at around 1 a.m. on March 18.
Homicide investigators believe that Loreto was killed on the evening of March 17 at her residence in New Westminster, about eight kilometers away from the park where the charred body was discovered.
Police said the suspects were charged with first-degree murder and indignity to human remains.
Friends and co-workers went to the park where the body of Loreto was set on fire by the suspects to pay their respect by laying flowers and lighting candles.
They described the victim as “kind, generous, cheerful with a great passion for singing.”
Known as “Macel” or “Maricel” to her friends, the victim was also described as a giving person and active in her community.
