Homicide investigators say a Coquitlam mother of two who has been missing for more than a month was last seen leaving her Nash Drive home in the early morning hours of July 16.
Sgt. Jennifer Pound, spokesperson for the RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigations Team (IHIT), told The Tri-City News on Thursday that 27-year-old Yating (Lancy) Hu's disappearance is considered suspicious and police believe foul play is involved.
IHIT announced on Aug. 3 that it was taking over the case of the missing woman from local RCMP, but Pound said details of what led police to believe they were now dealing with a murder would not be made public.
On July 22, Burnaby RCMP put out a press release saying Hu was missing and last seen by her husband on July 15, when he dropped her off at her second home near Metrotown Mall.
"Because of information we received, we realized she was actually last seen in Coquitlam in the home she shares with her husband," Pound said.
She added that the last person to see Hu at that home was her husband who has not been ruled out as a suspect.
Hu was seen leaving their Nash Drive home at 5:30 a.m. Saturday, July 16. She was wearing a black backpack and carrying an Apple Macbook computer.
"We're hoping that someone doesn't just come across these items and do the whole 'finders, keepers' - they're actually of significance in this investigation," Pound said.
Hu is described by police as Asian, 5' 7" tall and 119 lbs., with shoulder-length black hair, brown eyes and wears glasses. Hu has two young children and speaks English and Mandarin.
Anyone who has information about this case is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
