A foreign student charged with murder after police found his mother’s body in a suitcase is expected back in court next month to consider bail options, a provincial court judge heard Tuesday in Richmond.

Defence lawyer David Tarnow said his client, Yuan Xi “Will” Tang, is distraught and has a tough time “getting by” at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre, where the 25-year-old has been held since his arrest in early September.

“I think he’s somewhat confused … it’s confusing to someone who’s been in the legal system for the first time. He’s never had any difficulty before in his whole life,” Tarnow said outside court.

The Chinese national, who arrived in Canada in 2006 to pursue his education, is charged with first-degree murder and counselling to commit an indictable offence.

Tang appeared via video conference for his hearing and used a Cantonese-speaking interpreter at the proceedings. He is expected back in court Nov. 6.

Tang’s mother, Lianjie Guo, went missing from Richmond on June 7 after coming with her husband to the Lower Mainland to visit their son. Her body was found July 29 near Powell River.

Police said there was also a plot to murder the father, but provided no details.