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Family still looking for answers in 13-year-old Burnaby murder

John Hanna's body was found in a burned-out car by an elementary school in the early morning hours of July 16, 2009.
John Hanna
The 2009 killing of John Hanna in Burnaby, BC remains unsolved.

The mother of a 25-year-old man found dead in a burned-out car in Burnaby 13 years ago is pleading for anyone with information to come forward.

“Johnny would want me and our family to move on but not knowing what happened to him is what haunts me every day. The pain and agony is something no mother should have to bear,” read a statement from the family in a police news release Wednesday.

At about 3:48 a.m. on July 16, 2009, Burnaby RCMP responded to a report of gun shots and a vehicle fire in the area of Plum Avenue and Clinton Street by Clinton Elementary School.

On arrival, officers located the body of a deceased man.

He had been burned beyond recognition, according to previous police reports, but dental records helped identify him as Lower Mainland resident John William Hanna.

Police have said the incident was targeted.

The investigation remains open, according to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team.

“IHIT remains committed to seeking justice for the Hanna family and we continue to monitor the investigation and action all leads,” IHIT Sgt. Timothy Pierotti said in the release.

Anyone with information is asked to contact IHIT at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.

Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
Email cnaylor@burnabynow.com