A man who admitted to killing and dismembering his wife, teacher-librarian Naomi Onotera, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Obnes Regis initially pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and indignity to human remains, but on May 31st, 2024, he appeared in court and pled guilty to both charges.
With credit for the time he’s already spent in custody, Regis will spend another 12 years in prison as determined by the Honourable Justice Devlin from the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
On August 29th, 2021, the family of Naomi Onotera reported her missing from her home in Langley. A missing person investigation was launched with support from the larger community.
During the trial, it was stated that Regis killed his wife with a single punch to the head during an argument at their home. He proceeded to dismember her body and dispose of her remains in the Fraser River.
IHIT collected information from Obnes Regis and connected it to surveillance and forensic evidence, leading to an arrest being made and charges laid in December of 2021.
“The statements from the friends and family of Ms. Onotera solidified the timeline” said Staff Sergeant David Lee of IHIT, “We wish to recognize their assistance in what was a very difficult time for all.”
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