A manslaughter trial into the death of Likely resident Gary Price is scheduled to get underway in Williams Lake Supreme Court Monday at 10 a.m.
Guy Smith, 56, is facing one count of manslaughter and one count of interference with a dead body.
Price was 60 years old at the time of his disappearance in 2013 and lived in a remote area near Cariboo Lake.
He was first reported missing by his siblings and extended family on Mar. 3, 2013, after routine contact with him ceased.
Price’s truck was found about one kilometre from Likely on the Keithley Creek Road, pulled over on the shoulder, but pointed towards his home at Cariboo Lake. Police determined Price was last seen alive Feb. 23.
Still inside the vehicle were Price’s groceries he had purchased at the store, including food for his pet cat that was waiting for his return at home.
At the time police described Price a quiet man who kept to himself, but was also known as being polite and respectful.
Police launched an extensive ground and air search in the days that followed however failed to locate Price’s whereabouts.
On Sept. 19, 2014 the Williams Lake RCMP received complaints of human remains being located in a water well on a private property in Likely. A month later on Oct. 22, the RCMP confirmed the remains had been identified as that of Price.
Smith elected to be tried by judge alone.
The trial is expected to last three weeks.