Half-brother charged with second-degree murder in young B.C. mom’s death

MISSION, B.C. – The half-brother of an 18-year-old British Columbia mother has been charged with killing her.

Matthew Pernosky is charged with second-degree murder, indignity to a body and disposing of Rachel Pernosky’s body.

Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Unit says Pernosky was found dead in a rural area of Chilliwack in March 2013, three days after she disappeared.

Pound says it was clear to investigators that Pernosky had met with foul play and that the incident was not random.

She says a suspect was identified in the early stages and there was sufficient evidence last week to arrest and charge the young mother’s half-brother.

Pound says the tragic case has left the Pernosky family with many unanswered questions but that police can’t provide any further details before the case heads to court.