Two family members of 11-year-old Burnaby boy arrested, human remains recovered

The police in Burnaby have made a major breakthrough in the case of 11-year-old Kai Pavlovic, who went missing last year. Authorities have arrested two individuals and laid serious criminal charges following an extensive investigation that ultimately led to the recovery of the child's remains.

The accused have been identified as 51-year-old Branko Bijelic and 46-year-old Sarah Bijelic. The BC Prosecution Service approved charges of second-degree murder and indignity to human remains against Branko Bijelic, while Sarah Bijelic faces a charge of manslaughter.

When asked by RED FM whether Sarah Bijelic is the child's mother, Sgt. Freda Fong of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) confirmed that both individuals are family members of the boy. However, police declined to specify whether the woman is his mother, stating that investigators cannot provide further details to ensure the fairness of the upcoming trial.

Kai originally moved to Vancouver from New Zealand in 2023 with his mother and stepfather following the death of his biological father. On September 26, 2025, Burnaby RCMP received a request for a wellness check on Kai from his family in New Zealand, prompting local authorities to hand the case over to the Serious Crimes Unit. On June 25, 2026, IHIT assumed control of the investigation, which led to the location of the boy's body.

A publication ban has been placed on the case by the court, limiting the amount of details that can be publicly shared regarding the ongoing judicial proceedings and investigation.