Police outline profile of killer
Homicide investigators hope a partial criminal profile of the person they believe murdered Burnaby teen Marrisa Shen will help generate more tips from the public.
The 13-year-old Shen was killed in what police say was a random attack on the evening of July 18, 2017. She was last seen leaving a Tim Hortons. Shen was reported missing around 11:30 p.m., and police found her body in nearby Central Park at 1:10 a.m. on July 19.
On Tuesday, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) spokesman Cpl. Frank Jang said the RCMP’s behavioural sciences group has developed a criminal profile of an unknown person believed to be responsible for Shen’s death.
“We’re hoping today that people will look at the criminal profile developed by our profilers, and if they recognize somebody who fits any of these characteristics, please contact IHIT immediately,” Jang told reporters at a news conference.
Criminal profilers believe the person responsible may have lived near Central Park on July 18, 2017, and may have behaved strangely after Shen was found dead. Those behaviours include unexpectedly moving from the area; uncharacteristic avoidance of the area; withdrawal from social or family activities; missing work or appointments; suicidal gestures or attempts; interest in or special attention to media coverage of Shen’s death; and increased or decreased drug and/or alcohol use.
Anyone with information is asked to contact homicide investigators at 1-877-551-4448 or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.