Police have confirmed a 13-year-old Burnaby girl whose body was found in Central Park in the early hours of Wednesday morning died by homicide.
Marrisa Shen was reported missing at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Her body was found in the southeast section of the park at about 1:10 a.m. Wednesday.
“The evidence recovered doesn’t indicate if Miss Shen was the intended victim of homicide, or if her homicide was a random act,” Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) spokesperson Cpl. Meghan Foster stated in a press release Thursday afternoon. “The risk to public remains unknown, but we ask that the public remain vigilant.”
IHIT has also released a short security video clip that shows Chen entering an apartment building on the day of her disappearance.
Investigators say the teen was last seen leaving her home near the park at 6:02 p.m. Tuesday.
Shen, who was ready to enter high school in September, was last contacted by phone at 5 p.m.
“Currently, investigators are working to determine motive and identify a suspect,” Foster said.
Investigators will be canvassing the area in and around the park in the coming days, and Burnaby RCMP has stepped up patrols in the area, including daily patrols by the detachment’s bike section, according to Insp. Sanjaya Wijayakoon, acting officer in charge of the Burnaby RCMP detachment.
“Many details into the cause of Miss Shen’s death are currently unknown,” he said earlier this week, “but we ask that families have a conversation with their kids about safety. It’s always good to do this with your kids. We asked that you be vigilant and be aware of your surroundings.”
IHIT, meanwhile, is working tirelessly to gather and review evidence, according to Foster.
“No stone will be left unturned, and we ask that anyone with information contact police so that we can apprehend those responsible, and hold them accountable,” she said.
IHIT is asking anyone who may have seen Shen between 6 p.m. Tuesday and 1 a.m. Wednesday to contact police.
Investigators are also asking anyone who might have noticed anything suspicious in or near the park during that time to contact police.
Anyone with information is asked to phone 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email [email protected]. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
