A 49-year-old Filipino mother was killed with her remains severely burned by two suspects – one of them a minor – 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.
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.
Two suspects were arrested - Carlo Tobias, 21, and a 15-year-old who the police did not identify due to his age.
Police said the suspects were charged with first-degree murder and indignity to human remains.
Friends and coworkers 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.
In a televised press conference last week, Sgt. Frank Jang, a spokesperson for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said they believe that the two suspects and the victim “knew each other”.
The victim worked at an East Vancouver grocery store up until her death and was an active member in the local Filipino community, volunteering and singing at local events.
Investigating police believe the killing was planned and deliberate and they have a "very good idea" of what happened on the night of Loreto's death.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said they are checking on the case.