Brampton – Investigators from the Peel Regional Police Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau have confirmed that the ongoing investigation into the disappearance in 2009 of 27 year old Poonam LITT of Brampton has been declared a homicide and two arrests have been made.

On February 5, 2009 Poonam LITT was reported missing after she failed to appear for work that morning. 21 Division Criminal Investigation commenced an extensive investigation and public appeal however the whereabouts of Mrs. LITT remained a mystery.

On February 22, 2012, the Ontario Provincial Police – Caledon Division responded to a report of found human remains on a residential property on Willoughby Road, Caledon. The remains were identified by the Office of The Chief Coroner – Ontario Forensic Pathology Service to be those of the victim. The search of the 100 acre property was re-commenced on Thursday April 12th and will continue until they are satisfied that all evidence at the scene has been gathered.

The Peel Regional Police Homicide and Missing Persons Bureau and the Ontario Provincial Police Criminal Investigation Bureau began working jointly on the discovery and following up on other investigative leads in their respective areas.

The result of these efforts has led to the arrest today of the following persons;

35 year old Mandeep PUNIA of Brampton is charged with Murder in the Second Degree. She willbe making a first appearance tomorrow on this charge, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. PUNIA is the victim’s sister-in-law.

63 year old Kulwant Singh LITT of Brampton is charged with Accessory After the Fact to Murder. He willbe making a first appearance today on this charge, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. LITT is the victim’s father-in-law.

It is alleged the victim was killed by Punia on Wednesday February 4th, 2009. Investigators are withholding the occurrence location and cause of death pending further investigation.

Police would like to thank members of the media and the public for their assistance in bringing this investigation to a successful conclusion.

Anyone who may have information with respect to this incident is asked to call investigators in the Homicide Bureau at (905) 453-2121, ext. 3205. Anonymous tips may also be submitted via Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or www.peelcrimestoppers.ca.