Badly burned body identified as missing B.C. woman

The charred remains of a body discovered Monday near the Roberts Bank container terminal south of Vancouver are those of Surrey school teacher Manjit Panghali, who disappeared a week ago, say Delta police.

The 30-year-old Grade 1 teacher, who was the mother of a three-year-old girl and four months pregnant, disappeared on Oct. 18 after a pre-natal yoga class.

At an emotional news conference at Surrey RCMP headquarters on Monday, her family pleaded for the public's help in finding her.

At that time, reporters were told her husband Mukhtiar Panghali, who is also a teacher, took more than 24 hours to call police after his wife disappeared.

He said he held off reporting her missing as he contacted friends and family members to see if he could find her.

Police say the positive identification, which involved dental records, was "the outcome most feared" by the victim's family, friends and colleagues.

Delta police spokeswoman Const. Sharlene Brooks said homicide detectives have taken over the case, which is expected to be a "very complex" investigation.

The investigation by Delta police will be assisted by the Surrey and the Lower Mainland's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

No one is in custody, say police, who refuse to disclose whether they have any suspects. They do say they will not rule out anybody, and may not release any further information for days or even weeks.

Reporters and camera crews have been asked to stay away from the two schools where Panghali taught, out of respect for her students and her colleagues.

The family has also asked for privacy.