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Girl's death a homicide

UPDATE: 4:30 p.m.

Police are now calling the suspicious death of 13-year-old Marrisa Shen a homicide. 

Shen's body was discovered in Burnaby's Central Park in the early hours of Wednesday morning, two hours after she was first reported missing. 

Investigators have yet to determine if Shen was targeted or if it was a random attack, and they have not identified any suspects.

Surveillance footage shows Shen leaving her home, near the park, at 6:02 p.m. Tuesday. 

Police have asked anyone who saw the young girl after this time to call the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team Information Line at 1-877-551-4448. 

"Investigators are working tirelessly to gather and review evidence," said Cpl. Meghan Foster of IHIT. "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.” 


ORIGINAL: 3:52 p.m.

Police have new information to work with in their investigation into the suspicious death of a 13-year-old girl whose body was found in a Burnaby park early Wednesday morning.

The body of Marrisa Shen was found in Central Park just after 1 a.m., two hours after she was reported missing.

Her family, who lives near the park, said Shen last made contact with someone by phone at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, and investigators initially thought she hadn't been seen by anyone since 1 p.m.

Police now say they have learned Shen was seen leaving her house at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

“This now narrows down our timeline," Cpl. Meghan Foster of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team told CTV News.

Police are now looking to speak to anyone who was in the area of the crime scene from 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Several areas of the park remain closed as investigators search for clues.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Burnaby RCMP Insp. Sanjaya Wijayakoon said Wednesday the risk to public remains unclear and people should remain vigilant.

"It's not a good feeling,” said Darcel Collinson, who lives nearby.

- with files from CTV Vancouver



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