Four years after he was killed, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is appealing for help in solving the murder of John William Hanna.
Hanna, 25, reportedly of Surrey, was found in a burnt-out car on July 16, 2009 in the 5600-block of Clinton Street, at Plum Avenue, alongside Clinton elementary in Burnaby.
He was killed not by the fire but from gunshot wounds,
"John made a bad choice and he was lured by people he trusted into an unsafe situation, not knowing what he was getting into," said Hanna's mother, who does not want to be identified, in a statement.
"John did not understand the risk, or quite possibly the violence that people in this world use so casually. When I see young men who are a similar age to John, I pray that they won't be influenced by others and make a wrong decision that can affect their lives."
Her son's life held so much promise before he was killed, she said. "John did not deserve to be wiped off the face of the earth in this brutal manner. He just turned 25 and had so much of life waiting for him. The day we buried him was the day he was supposed to start university."
His mother said if anyone has information on the murder, "I beg you to come forward and share what you know so that the police can take action."
She is still "very devastated" not having any closure with his death and many unanswered questions. "No family deserves to go through this."
IHIT spokesperson Sgt. Jennifer Pound said, "The manner in which John was killed and disposed of is disturbing on many levels and those with information about his murder are carrying a dark and heavy burden. It’s due time that those individuals come forward and speak with IHIT."
Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the IHIT Tip Line at 1-800-551-IHIT (4448) or, to remain anonymous, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.