Teen’s death being treated as homicide
Police still hunting for motive, suspect after discovery of 13-year-old girl’s body
Investigators released surveillance footage of the Burnaby teenager found dead in Central Park while at the same time confirming on Thursday that her death is being treated as a homicide.
At a press conference Thursday afternoon, Cpl. Meghan Foster said the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is still working to figure out the motive and identify a suspect in the slaying of 13-yearold Marrisa Shen.
Shen was reported missing around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday and her body was found just after 1 a.m. Wednesday on the southeast side of Central Park.
Foster said evidence recovered so far doesn’t indicate whether she was a targeted victim of the homicide or if it was a random attack.
Investigators recovered surveillance video from an apartment building close to the crime scene showing the teen apparently walking toward the building hours before she was last seen leaving her Burnaby home at 6:02 p.m., Foster said.
“The video is merely to aid those in the area because we believe she was wearing the same clothing, she was of the same description — it’s just better video to provide you with,” said Foster.
In the video, Shen can be seen wearing a dark-coloured T-shirt, shorts and runners. Police said it appeared to be the clothing she was found with.
Foster said she couldn’t confirm where exactly the video came from and whether it was taken outside her home. She said investigators were releasing the video in the hope someone might recall having seen her after 6 p.m. in the vicinity of the crime scene.
Investigators don’t believe Shen was in distress during a phone call she made around 5 p.m. Tuesday, said Foster, adding she couldn’t share who Shen was speaking with at the time.
Foster couldn’t provide many details early in the investigation, but stressed the importance of anyone who had seen Shen to contact IHIT.
“Ms. Shen was a good kid and she’s missed dearly by her family right now,” Foster said. “They’re in the initial stages of grieving and we’re working and doing the best we can to find those responsible and we need the help of the public.”
Thursday morning, dozens of RCMP and Vancouver police officers teamed up to conduct a grid search of the park where Shen was found. Foster said investigators were canvassing the area to ensure they hadn’t overlooked anything.
Foster said it’s unclear how long it will be before Central Park fully reopens as investigators continue combing the area.
“We are still in the crucial stages of evidence gathering and are conducting a widespread area canvas,’’ Foster said. “No stone will be left unturned.’’
But with no suspect or motive determined for Shen’s homicide, earlier police warnings for the public to stay vigilant still stand, Foster said.
“Those public safety issues are still unknown,” she said.
Until we confirm more facts in this case, the risk to the public — if any — is unknown, but we ask that they remain vigilant.
“Until we confirm more facts in this case, the risk to the public — if any — is unknown, but we ask that they remain vigilant until further updates can be provided,” authorities had said in a statement on Wednesday.
Anyone who may have seen Shen after 6 p.m. on Tuesday is asked to contact investigators at 1-877-551-IHIT or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.