Estranged husband pleads guilty to murdering Burnaby woman
The estranged husband of a Burnaby woman pled guilty to her second-degree murder on Tuesday, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).
Zhongming “James” Mou, then-35, was originally charged with first-degree murder in September 2011.
His wife, 27-year-old Yating "Lancy" Hu was originally believed to have been last seen on July 15, 2011 when her husband said he dropped her off at her Metrotown-area apartment. He reported her missing July 18 after he said she missed several appointments they had together and he couldn't contact her to return their two small children after the weekend.
Her husband later said he last saw her July 16 leaving the home they shared in Coquitlam.
Hu's body was recovered Aug. 27, 2011 from the Fraser River near the west end of Steveston in Richmond. Following an autopsy, IHIT confirmed it was that of Hu and that foul play was involved.
However, the fact her body had been found was not made public until after Mou was arrested and charged to allow investigators to gather sufficient evidence to lay the charge.
Hu was the mother of two small children who have been in the care of their grandparents since Mou's arrest.
“Lancy Hu is missed by her family including her parents and her young boys," said IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Jennifer Pound in a press release. "This tragedy will require endless healing for those who loved her.
“A guilty plea marks a success for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team," Pound said. "The dedication and determination shown by the investigators, to bring justice in this horrific case, was paramount.”
wchow@burnabynewsleader.com
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