The three young men now charged with the murder of a Langley, B.C., teen were his friends and often welcomed into his family home, says the deceased boy’s father.

Nicholas Hannon was last seen Feb. 26, 2014, after the 19-year-old said he was leaving home for a short time. He never returned.

His car was found the next morning at the end of McKinnon Crescent in Langley after someone living in the neighbourhood notified authorities.

At the time, RCMP called his disappearance suspicious and his family offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his safe return.

After 19 months of investigating, B.C.’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced Tuesday that three men had been arrested over the long weekend in connection with Hannon’s death.

The indictment documents allege the murder happened on or about Feb. 26 in Langley. His remains were located in a heavily wooded area in Mission and an autopsy is scheduled for later this week.

“Until this weekend my family maintained a glimmer of hope that just maybe Nick would come barging through the front door and shout ‘I’m home’ but now we know that will never happen,” said Craig Hannon, Nick’s father.

“We are devastated and we are betrayed.”

Connor Angus Campbell, 21, Bradley Michael Flaherty, 20, and Keith William Tankard, 20, have been charged with first-degree murder, and all three are scheduled to appear in Surrey court Tuesday morning.

Craig Hannon said he considered the three men to be friends with his son.

“Three young men were welcomed in our home on many occasions have been charged to the highest degree with taking the life of a wonderful brother, a loving uncle and an incredible son,” he said.

“Never again will he lovingly piggyback his beautiful niece up and down the stairs and around the house. Never again will I be able to hug him and say ‘I love you buddy.’”

Craig Hannon describes his son as a wonderful, loving boy who had a smile that lights up the room.

Sgt. Jennifer Pound said it’s believed the teen died as a result of a conflict that “turned violent, and ultimately deadly.”

“Our hearts go out to the family,” she said.