BC

A 25-year-old man was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the discovery of his mother's remains in a suitcase in July, police announced Friday.

Yuan Xi Tang was to appear in court next week, police said.

The suspect's mother Lianjie Guo, 47, went missing from Richmond June 7, and police discovered her remains in a suitcase on Harwood Island, near the community of Powell River, in July.

"There were significant human and financial resources dedicated to this investigation and over 100 investigators have contributed to our success," Kevin Hackett, officer in charge of BC's Integrated Homicide Investigation team, said in a statement.

Hackett said the investigation even included the RCMP's liaison officer in Beijing, and police have been in continuous contact with the Chinese consulate.

Sgt. Jennifer Pound, a spokeswoman for the team, said police believe the suspect was also trying to have his father killed.

In addition to the murder charge, Yuan Xi Tang also faces a charge of counselling to commit an indictable offence.

Pound said Yuan Xi Tang came to Canada on a student visa in 2006, and his parents were visiting him from China.