SURREY, B.C. — Homicide investigators will release an update today into the murder of a 13-year-old Burnaby, B.C., girl whose body was found in a park near her home last summer.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says in a news release that its members have consulted with the RCMP's behavioural sciences group to develop a profile of Marrisa Shen's killer.
The profile suggests the unknown attacker likely lived near Central Park, where Shen's body was found just hours after she was reported missing on July 18, 2017.
Police say the suspect may also have unexpectedly moved from area after the death, uncharacteristically avoided the park, withdrew from social activities, paid close attention to media coverage of the girl's death and changed his or her pattern of drug or alcohol use.
Cpl. Frank Jang says there is still strong public interest in the case and anyone who recognizes the characteristics or behaviours in someone they know should contact police.
The profile is the latest effort to solve the murder after the homicide team launched a website in January containing details of the investigation with all available video clips of Shen's movements before she disappeared.
Update on Marrisa Shen investigation. Criminal profile of offender by RCMP Behavioural Sciences Group. Unknown offender may have lived near Burnaby's Central Park on July 18, 2017. Contact @HomicideTeam w/ info. Visit https://t.co/KDQOQfp2fl for latest information. pic.twitter.com/JDbh4zruan
— IHIT (@HomicideTeam) April 24, 2018
A statement said he or she may have behaved in the following ways after the teen's death:
Moved unexpectedly, permanently or temporarily
Uncharacteristically avoided the Central Park area
Withdrew from family or social activities
Missed work or scheduled appointments
Showed suicidal gestures or made attempts
Seemed particularly interested in media coverage releated to Shen's death
Increased or decreased their use of drugs and/or alcohol
IHIT Cpl. Frank Jang said there is still strong public interest in the case and anyone who recognizes the characteristics or behaviours in someone they know or knew should contact police.
"This was a random attack. I know that's unsettling to all of us,'' he told reporters on Tuesday.
