Shock and grief have rocked friends and family of Naomi Onotera, following news that her husband has been charged in the death of the Langley City teacher, who went missing more than three months ago.

Friend Tia Poy said her 鈥渨orld came crashing down鈥� when she heard the news.

鈥淲e have lost an amazing, kind, compassionate, sweet, wonderful sister, daughter, mother, and my very best friend,鈥� Poy told the Langley Advance Times.

鈥淣aomi worked as a librarian where she was happiest teaching children to read, that鈥檚 the kind of person she was. I am heartbroken and at a loss for words after learning about this devastating news. My life will never be the same without her. R.I.P. my beautiful friend.鈥�

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鈥淓verybody who knows her is beyond devastated,鈥� said another friend, who asked not to be named.

An emotional Dan Frisk, whose family was close to the 40-year-old mother and Surrey elementary school teacher, said the last time he saw Onotera was when he happened to run into her during a shopping trip, and the proud new mom showed him a photo of her daughter.

鈥淲e said, 鈥榮ee you later, take care,鈥欌�� Frisk recalled.

Frisk, one of the volunteers who plastered Langley City with posters of Onotera, described her as a part of his family, 鈥減art of Christmas, part of birthdays, part of good times, and bad times,鈥� Fisk told the Langley Advance Times, calling her 鈥渨ell-loved.鈥�

On Saturday, Dec. 18, Sgt. David Lee, spokesman for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT), said charges of manslaughter and indignity to human remains have been laid against Onotera鈥檚 husband, 49-year-old Obnes Regis, who was arrested on Friday, Dec. 17.

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He confirmed that the remains of Onotera had been located, but would not say where.

Forensic investigators returned to the Onotera home on Friday, Dec. 17.

By Monday, they had gone.

Late Saturday morning, a small white four-door sedan was towed from the house, where forensic experts in white protective suits could be seen on the premises.

鈥淲e know this is not the outcome everyone was hoping for,鈥� Lee said.

鈥淲e understand the community has been anxious for answers and this has been a difficult time everyone,鈥� he added.

鈥淲e hope this arrest provides some answers and assuages some fears.鈥�

Onotera was last seen on Aug. 28.

Lee said an 鈥渆xtensive missing persons investigation鈥� by Langley RCMP led to 鈥渢he determination that foul play was suspected.鈥�

On Sept. 13, IHIT took conduct of the investigation, working with the Langley RCMP, Integrated Forensic Identification Section (IFIS), and other specialized units from E-Division.

鈥淎s part of that initial investigation, an extensive search was completed at Naomi Onotera鈥檚 residence and evidence was recovered,鈥� Lee said.

He did not give details.

Court records show Regis was scheduled to appear before a Surrey provincial court judge on Tuesday, Dec. 21 for a hearing.

A ban on publication of details has been imposed.