A man accused of killing his ex-wife in April 2024 in the Lumby area will not have a preliminary inquiry for his case, which is now heading to the BC Supreme Court.

Vitali Stefanski, 48, has been in custody since May 31 of last year, when he was charged with second-degree murder in relation to the death of Lumby mother of two Tatjana Stefanski. 

The RCMP had asked the public for assistance in locating Tatjana, 44, on April 13, 2024. Her family had filed a police report fearing she may have been abducted by her ex-husband, Vitali. 

The RCMP told the public that witnesses saw Tatjana speaking with Vitali before she departed with him unexpectedly in a black Audi. 

Her body was found the next day in a rural area near Lumby. Vitali was then found and arrested by police. He was later released under conditions before being arrested again and charged with second-degree murder on May 31, 2024. 

On Friday, Vitali appeared by video at the Kelowna Law Courts for a process hearing. At this hearing, the Crown officially announced it is proceeding by direct indictment, the BC Prosecution Service confirmed. This means the case is moving to the BC Supreme Court. Accordingly, the provincial court proceedings were stayed. 

By proceeding with direct indictment, the case will no longer include a preliminary inquiry, which is a usual additional step in the process that allows the Crown and defence to contest which information can and should be lawfully entered as evidence in the trial. Vitali's four-day preliminary inquiry that was set to begin on March 31 has been cancelled. 

Often, in complex or serious cases in the Supreme Court, or trials that are to be heard by both a judge and jury, a preliminary inquiry is held in provincial court before the trial begins. 

The BC Prosecution Service has for when the Crown should proceed with direct indictment, as it is doing in Vitali's case.

Vitali's next BC Supreme Court appearance will be at the Vernon Law Courts on April 28, when dates for the trial are expected to be set.

 that did not identify Tatjana or Vitali by name due to the ongoing court case, B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office stated that in the months preceding Tatjana's death, the RCMP had received reports reflecting concern for the safety of a woman who was later found dead, on April 14, 2024.