Naomi Onotera’s husband sentenced to 16 years after killing wife

Naomi Onotera’s husband, Obnes Regis, was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years in prison in connection with his wife’s death.

Regis confessed to the 2021 killing in May this year, and after time already served, he will remain in prison for the next 12 years, one month, and 17 days.

Onotera was last seen leaving her Langley home in August 2021, and her remains were found in December of that year.

The 40-year-old was a teacher-librarian at Surrey’s Katzie Elementary School and a mother to a 20-month-old daughter.

While first treated as a missing person case, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called in just a couple of weeks after her disappearance to help the Langley RCMP with its investigation.

When Regis’ trial began in May, he initially pleaded not guilty before changing his plea.

‘It would never have been enough’: victim’s family decry sentence length

Onotera’s sister, Kirsten Kerr, says she isn’t satisfied with the sentencing.

Speaking outside a New Westminster courthouse Tuesday, she said she had hoped for the maximum sentence.

“It would never have been enough. Nothing would ever have been enough for what he did,” said Kerr. 

“He’s a monster. It’s horrific. And we wanted more. I don’t feel that justice was served.”

Kerr says the wellbeing of Onotera and Regis’ daughter is now her “foremost concern.”

She says she rejects an apology that Regis reportedly offered to his daughter.

“I think it was not genuine. I think it was, again, self-serving. He has been through this, his whole thought process — through everything he did — just self-serving. It’s not something I ever want her to hear or see. I just want to keep her distanced from ever knowing him,” said Kerr.

She says Onotera was an “amazing sister” and a lovely and dedicated member of her community. 

“I miss her every single day. She should be here with her daughter. She should,” said Kerr. 

“She’ll always be remembered for her kind heart and the way that she impacted her students and those around her.”

Kerr says she’s holding onto hope that Regis will be deported after serving his time.

—With files from Kate Walker