Mother of man charged in girlfriend's death now facing accessory charge

A mother and son are both facing criminal charges in connection with the death of the man's 19-year-old girlfriend in Surrey, B.C., nearly two years ago, homicide investigators said Tuesday.

Harjot Singh Deo, 21, was charged on May 10 with second-degree murder in relation to the death of Bhavkiran (Kiran)Dhesi.

On Tuesday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team confirmed his mother,Manjit Kaur Deo, 53,had been arrestedon Friday. She'scharged with accessory after the fact of murder, which would meanshe knew about her son's alleged crime and helped enable an"escape."

Dhesiwas found dead in a burned-out SUV along 24 Avenue on Aug. 2, 2017. Investigators said she'd sustained injuries consistent with homicide.

Dhesi and Harjot Deo had been in a romantic relationship at the time, according to police.

IHIT Cpl. Frank Jang told reporters Tuesday that the investigation into Dhesi's death isongoing and investigators are still pursuing leads.

"I'm sure it will come as a shock to many in the community to have two members of the same household charged,"Jang said.

The officer saidDhesi's family is aware of the charges.

"Our investigators have a very good relationship [with Dhesi's family]," Jang said.

"They still mourn her. These charges will not bring Bhavkiran back. We all understand that."

Arrested at YVR

Harjot Deo was taken into custody after arriving at Vancouver International Airport from an undisclosed location in Canada, investigators said in a statement on May 13.

IHIT Supt. Donna Richardson said police could not disclose what evidence led to Deo's arrestbutthat the investigation was still active.

"[Harjot Deo]became known to investigators fairly early in our investigation," she said.

Richardson said HarjotDeo was known to police. According to online records, the only charges he has faced previously seem limited to a handful of traffic violations.

IHIT has said Dhesi wasn't known to police and that herdeath was likely targeted, but wasn't believed to begang-related.

Dhesi, astudent at KwantlenPolytechnic University in Surrey, had received a kidney transplant six months before she was killed.

Last December, police foundan Audi Q7 they believed to beconnected to the crime. Officerswere also searching for adark grey Dodge Ram.

Harjot Deois scheduled to appear in provincial court in Surrey on May 27. Manjit Deo has a court appearance scheduled at the same courthouse on Thursday morning.