Husband charged with murder of missing island woman

A B.C. man has been charged with the second-degree murder of his wife, after she went missing fromtheir home on a remoteisland located off the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.

The victim, Jennifer McPherson, 41, of Hanson Island, was reported missing by her family on May 1.

Island District RCMP Cpl. Darren Lagan said two days later police launched an intensive searchinvolving dozens of officers fromseveral specialized departments, includingair services, police dog services, atactical troop and a dive team.

On Monday afternoon, police determined that McPherson was the victim of foul play and her husband, Traigo Ehkid Andretti, 37, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Campbell River on May 13.

Sgt. Kevin Mazur of the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit said investigators are continuing to gather evidence on the island, where police believe the crime occurred.

"Our investigators remain focused on conducting a thorough search of Hanson Island for any evidence related to this murder, and the ultimate goal of seeing justice served for Jennifer's grieving family," Mazur said in a written statement.

Hanson Island is approximately eight kilometresby boat from Telegraph Cove, on the northeast coast of Vancouver Island.