Matthew Ramsey, CanWest News Service; Vancouver Province

Published: Sunday, October 29, 2006

VANCOUVER -- Thousands of mourners are expected to attend a public funeral being organized for slain mother and teacher Manjit Panghali, says the Surrey, B.C. woman's grieving family. The funeral is tentatively planned for next weekend in Delta, B.C.

The service will be open to the public and family members from around the world are expected to attend.

Panghali's devastated family sought solace in Sikh prayer this weekend while police cautioned the public to be patient as they hunt for the woman's killer.

"There are things that need to come out further. There will be a time and a place for us to talk, but right now we are praying," said Tur Basra, Panghali's younger brother.

Panghali's colleagues, her students and their parents at Surrey's North Ridge elementary left flowers and messages of mourning at the school in the young teacher's memory. Panghali, mother of a 3/12-year-old girl, taught a Grade 1 class at North Ridge.

Four months pregnant with her second child, Panghali disappeared Oct. 18 after attending a pre-natal yoga class.

Her husband Mukhtriar Panghali reported the disappearance to RCMP 26 hours later.

Police in Delta confirmed Thursday that a body disfigured by fire found earlier in the week was that of the 30-year-old.

Delta Police said updates on the investigation may be days or weeks away.

As police probe the murder, a criminal harassment case against Mukhtiar's brother Sukhvinder Panghali, 26, has been fast-tracked through Richmond, B.C., court.

The charge against the aircraft mechanic was laid in September. The woman he allegedly harassed has since moved from her Richmond home.

Sukhvinder's lawyer Marvin Stern said the fast-tracking was an effort "to try and dispel any connection" between the harassment charge and the murder of Manjit Panghali.

"The two investigations don't have anything to do with each other," Stern said Saturday.

Vancouver Province