The man accused of killing his wife and hiding her body in their family home for two years was the target of an undercover police operation.

Allan Shyback is charged with second-degree murder and committing indignity to a body in connection with the death of Lisa Michelle Mitchell. Shyback's lawyer made a brief court appearance Friday, putting the matter over while he waits for disclosure from the prosecution.

A year-long Mr. Big sting was carried out, resulting in the charges, according to Shyback's lawyer Balfour Der.

Such operations involve undercover officers pretending to be criminals who befriend the target with the ultimate goal of eliciting a confession to the crime the target is suspected of committing, most often a homicide.

After court, Der said he'll have to review disclosure before deciding if he'll challenge the admissibility of the evidence gathered as part of the undercover operation.

Mitchell, 31, was last seen at her home in the southeast community of Ogden on Oct. 29, 2012. Her family reported her missing to Turner Valley RCMP on Nov. 12 of that year.

In December, police executed a search warrant at Mitchell's Ogden home and say they found what are believed to be human remains.

Shyback and the couple's two children had been living there since her disappearance. Police have said it will become clear through the court process why nobody noticed the presence of human remains for two years.

Shyback will be back in court on Feb. 26.