BC Court of Appeal denies manslaughter appeal for Langley man

The British Columbia Court of Appeal has denied an appeal by Obnes Regis to reduce his prison sentence for the manslaughter and indignity to human remains of his partner, Naomi Onotera.

Regis pleaded guilty in 2024 after a police undercover operation following Onotera’s disappearance in late 2021. He admitted to killing Onotera with a punch during an argument and subsequently disposing of her remains. Justice Martha Devlin originally issued a combined 16-year sentence, which was adjusted to approximately 12 years to account for time already served in custody.

Defense lawyers argued the sentence should be reduced to between 10 and 11 years, contesting the original judge’s characterization of the manslaughter as “near murder.” However, the three-judge appeals panel, with Justice Peter Edelmann writing the ruling, found no error in the original sentencing decision.