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Sex offender arrested for murder

Police have now confirmed the identity of the man arrested and charged in the death of a Surrey teen.

Raymond Lee Caissie, 43, has been charged with second degree murder in the slaying of 17-year-old Serena Vermeersch.

Caissie was considered a high-risk sex offender when he was released from prison a year ago after serving a 22-year sentence for sexual assault.

Police, meantime are crediting residents and businesses with providing information that led to the arrest.

Earlier in the day RCMP said a man had been charged with the second-degree murder of Vermeersch, as part of a random attack and was scheduled to appear in court later Monday.

At the time Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team said the name of the man arrested in Vancouver early Saturday was not being released because of a publication ban sought by his defence lawyer.

She said a news conference Monday was delayed by an hour as police tried to get the ban lifted in the case that Chief Supt. Dan Malo called "a horrible crime of opportunity."

Pound read a statement from the girl's family asking that they be left alone to grieve their loss.

Vermeersch was last seen walking along railroad tracks last Tuesday night and when she didn't come home by early Wednesday her mother phoned police.



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