Husband charged with murder of missing wife

A 40-year-old Vancouver man has been charged with the murder of his wife, seven years after she went missing.

Jaswant Singh Gill is scheduled to appear in provincial court today, charged with the second degree murder of 33-year-old Gurpreet Gill in 2006.

Sgt. Kevin McLaren said Gill was reported missing in 2006, but it wasn't until 2011 that the investigation into her disappearance became a homicide case.

"We know that there is nothing that will ever make up for the tragedy and loss the family has suffered," said McLaren.

"But we hope that today’s announcement offers them some measure of comfort, as it has to the investigators who never gave up in their efforts to solve the mystery and seek justice for the victim."

Gurpreet was married to Jaswant in an arranged marriage in 2000. While the couple lived in Vancouver, her family remained in India.

McLaren says Gurpreet's remains were identified with the help of the Coroners Service two weeks ago in Richmond.

"They have a databank of DNA profiles of found human remains and familial DNA was matched just a short time ago," he said.

McLaren said other suspects have been investigated along the way, but the only person to be charged is Gurpreet's husband.