The remains of Lianjie Guo were found in a suitcase near Powell River, B.C., in July. Her son, Yuan Xi Tang, 25, is charged with first-degree murder, RCMP said Friday. (Handout, RCMP)

A man has been charged with first-degree murder after the remains of his mother were found in a suitcase on the southwestern coast of British Columbia in July, RCMP said Friday.

Lianjie Guo, 47, was reported missing from Richmond, B.C., on June 7 and the case was deemed suspicious.

Her remains were found in a suitcase in Harwood Island near Powell River on July 29, RCMP said.

Police said in a release a reporter from the Victoria Times Colonist newspaper was aware of the grisly discovery and contacted police. But RCMP said they advised the reporter to withhold publicizing the news to avoid jeopardizing the investigation.

Sgt. Jennifer Pound, spokeswoman for the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said evidence suggested the son of the alleged victim had made attempts to kill his father.

The cause of death has not been released.

Yuan Xi Tang, 25, has been arrested and is charged with first-degree murder and counselling to commit an indictable offence.