No suspects in slaying of Burnaby teen: police
BURNABY — The homicide of a 13-year-old girl found dead in a Burnaby park involved a random attack, police say.
Cpl. Meghan Foster of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said Wednesday there are no suspects in the death of Marissa Shen.
Her body was discovered in brush at Central Park in Burnaby on July 19.
Police have not revealed how the teen died, but Foster said no other acts of violence have been linked to the case.
Marissa was to start high school in the fall.
Few details about her death have been released, but police have said she was spotted about 6 p.m. on July 18, when she was recorded on surveillance video leaving an apartment building.
Marissa’s family has been devastated by her sudden death, Foster said.
The case has been a “crushing blow” to the entire community, said RCMP Supt. Chuck McDonald.
“It is very difficult to make sense of,” he said. “As a parent of two daughters, I cannot begin to imagine the impact and the terrible toll this has had on Marissa’s family. This incident has shaken us all.”
Police have been patrolling Central Park on bicycles and on foot since Marissa’s body was found. Residents are being asked to stay vigilant about their personal safety, McDonald said.
Officers have received several tips, and are looking for photos or video taken in the park between 6 p.m. on July 18 and 1 a.m. the following morning.