Editor’s note: This story contains disturbing details.
Sentencing has come down for Obnes Regis, the man who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of his wife, Naomi Onotera, and dismembering and disposing of her remains in the Fraser River.
The mother and educator’s death led to a high-profile homicide investigation in BC, and now, nearly three years later, Regis has learned his fate and will spend 16 years in prison, minus credit for time served.
The Langley school teacher and librarian was reported missing in August of 2021, prompting a massive search of the neighbourhood and park near where Onotera, Regis, and their 18-month-old daughter lived. However, in September, police announced the case was being treated as a homicide as they had reason to believe that the woman had been met with foul play.
Regis was arrested and charged in December after evidence was found at the home. It was later determined that human remains were in the residence at the time of the searches.
He had initially pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and unlawfully interfering with human remains; however, in New Westminster Supreme Court in May, he changed his plea to guilty.
Police investigate the scene (Daily Hive)
Family and friends gathered in the New Westminster courthouse throughout the trial to express their heartbreak over their loss. Onotera’s former school, Katzie Elementary, has honoured her memory through the Naomi Onotera Joy of Reading Grant this past year.
Manslaughter in Canada does not have a minimum sentence unless it is done with a firearm, per the Criminal Code.
“The court imposed a sentence of 2,604 days (or seven years and 49 days), regarding the manslaughter, in addition to the 924 days he had already served in pre-sentence custody, credited as 1,413 days. Regarding the indignity to human remains count, the court imposed a sentence of five years consecutive to the manslaughter. The effective sentence was 16 years in total,” the BC Prosecution Service told Daily Hive.
Regis is also banned from owning firearms.
Following the sentencing Tuesday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said victim support services are still available to anyone in the community through their local RCMP detachment or through VictimLinkBC who has been affected by this case.
Investigators within the RCMP Integrated Forensic Identification Service and scientists at the British Columbia Institute of Technology worked tirelessly to comb through surveillance footage and evidence to determine this outcome.
“This was a difficult investigation and it impacted investigators and the community,” said IHIT Staff Sergeant David Lee, “We hope that this outcome brings closure to the friends, family of Naomi Onotera and the community who supported her.”
Investigators included a statement from her family as well.
“It’s still hard to fathom our beloved Naomi is gone,” said a family member. “We are grateful for the continued support from the community and the Surrey School District. We hope Naomi’s memory will live on in everyone’s hearts and she will get the justice she deserves.”
With files from Amir Ali, Sarah Anderson, and Megan Devlin