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 arrested on Friday. She's charged with accessory after the fact of murder, which would mean she knew about her son's alleged crime and helped enable an "escape."

Dhesi was 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 is ongoing 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 said Dhesi'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 arrest but that the investigation was still active.

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

Richardson said Harjot Deo 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 her death was likely targeted, but wasn't believed to be gang-related.

Dhesi, a student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, had received a kidney transplant six months before she was killed. 

Last December, police found an Audi Q7 they believed to be connected to the crime. Officers were also searching for a dark grey Dodge Ram.

Harjot Deo is 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.