Man charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of Japanese student in Vancouver's West End
William Victor Schneider, 49, was arrested in Vernon, B.C., last September
A man who was arrested last fall in connection with the death of a Japanese student has been charged with second-degree murder, Vancouver police announced Friday.
RCMP arrested William Victor Schneider, 49, on Sept. 28, 2016, in Vernon, B.C, the same day police discovered the body of Natsumi Kogawa in a mansion in Vancouver's West End.
Kogawa, 30, was reported missing on Sept. 12, 2016. Her body was discovered at building known as Gabriola Mansion, a historic building on Davie Street.
Friends last heard from her on Sept. 8. She was the subject of a high-profile missing persons campaign. Kogawa had come to Vancouver to study English.
Police confirmed last fall that Schneider was the man seen with Kogawa in a widely-distributed surveillance photo.
At the time of his arrest last fall, Schneider was charged with indignity to a human body.
Crown Counsel has now approved the more serious charge of second-degree murder against Schneider, Vancouver police said in a statement.
He remains in custody.