Trina Hunt's husband charged with indignity to human remains

The 52-year-old husband of a Port Moody woman who disappeared in 2021 and was found dead two months later has been charged.

Homicide investigators announced Tuesday that Trina Hunt’s husband, Iain Hunt, has been charged with one count of indignity to human remains.

“This charge occurs when a person neglects to perform their legal duty to bury a dead human body, or if a person interferes in an improper, indecent or undignified way with a dead human body or human remains,” said a statement from the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

No other charges were announced.

In a followup interview, IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Freda Fong said the indignity charge was the only one the B.C. Prosecution Service determined had met its charge approval standards.

It’s a two-part test: that there is enough evidence to present a case with a substantial likelihood of conviction, and that the prosecution would be in the public interest.

Asked whether IHIT investigators were hoping other charges might be laid, Fong said, “Unfortunately, we cannot disclose what, if any, other charges were recommended.”

Fong said Iain Hunt is not in custody, and is due for his next court appearance on March 5.

Trina Hunt’s brother Brad Ibbott said on social media that the family is furious only one charge was laid.

“The last four years have been absolutely gut-wrenching and today is no exception,” he wrote on a Facebook group dedicated to solving Trina’s murder. “We are angry and beyond devastated that today’s charge against Iain Hunt, Trina’s former husband, only consists of indignity to human remains.

“We are thankful for the incredible work from IHIT and are shocked that their efforts have only resulted in a charge that carries a maximum of five years in prison.”

Hunt, 48, disappeared on Jan. 18, 2021. She was reported missing by her husband, who told Port Moody police he last saw her around 6 a.m. that day at their Heritage Woods home as he was leaving for work.

Hunt’s remains were found on March 29, 2021, near Hope, south of Silver Creek. Police said foul play was suspected.

In a statement on the Facebook group originally set up to help in the search for Hunt, her family announced with “shattered hearts” that her body had been found. “This community of friends, family and strangers (who now feel like friends) has been there to support us in finding Trina each step of the way.

“Your words, thoughts, kindness and outpouring of love are truly what has kept us going … We need your love and support more than ever right now. Thank you.”

In June 2021, police searched two homes as part of the investigation into Hunt’s death, the Hunt family home in Port Moody and a residence in Mission belonging to Iain Hunt’s parents.

An arrest was made in June 2022 but police did not release the name of the man arrested.

In August 2024, Ibbott renewed the family’s call for answers, releasing a statement through IHIT and reiterating the family’s $50,000 reward being offered for tips that could lead to an arrest or charges.

“We think of Trina often. Her infectious smile, her love for laughter, and her genuine caring nature,” he said.

“We carry on some of Trina’s traditions in an attempt to keep her memory alive by baking her famous snow-capped candy cane dipped chocolate brownies, savouring a glass of her favourite wine, Chaberton’s Bacchus and honouring her with her favourite coconut cake on her birthday.”

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