When 13-year-old Marrisa Shen was last seen walking near Burnaby’s Central Park one year ago today, her whole life was ahead of her and she was looking forward to a summer trip to China to visit friends.
Less than six hours later, her lifeless body was found in the brush in the southeast section of the park.
“We were supposed to see her grown up, but instead we have been deprived of the joy of having her in our lives, and we are left with thoughts of what could have been of Marrisa’s life,” said a prepared statement from her family read out by Integrated Homicide Investigation Team spokesperson Cpl. Frank Jang at a press conference at Central Park Wednesday morning.
No suspects have been identified in her death, but Jang said, to date, investigators have followed up on 200 tips from general public, reviewed 1,000 hours of video and conducted more than 600 interviews.
IHIT used the one-year anniversary of Shen’s death to renew calls for any information from the public that might advance the investigation.
“We know that there are people with information out there that have yet to speak with IHIT. We urge them today to please come forward,” Jang said.
Jang said the investigation was ongoing, but declined to make any more information about it public, including whether or not Shen had been sexually assaulted, the nature of important leads that have come in, evidence found with Shen’s body or even exactly how many investigators are working on her case.
“There’s just some information that we can’t share at the moment. It’s an ongoing investigation, and I know the public understands that, and I’m hoping one day soon that we will be able to share that information. Unfortunately, today’s not that day.”
Shen was last seen at 7:38 p.m. on July 18, 2017 on the south side of Central Boulevard crossing McKay Avenue walking west.
She was reported missing four hours later, and her body was found in the early morning hours of the following day after Burnaby Mounties used GPS to track her cell phone.
Just over a week later, IHIT announced investigators believed Shen’s death was the result of a random attack.
Last week, a man in his 70s sustained “life-altering” injuries after being attacked in the park.
There’s no evidence linking the two events, according to IHIT.
Burnaby RCMP Chief Supt. Deanne Burleigh, called both incidents “appalling, horrific acts that someone needs to be held accountable for” and said RCMP has stepped up high visibility foot patrols, not just at Central Park, but in other parks, as well as transit hubs and school yards.
She also urged people to look after their own safety by being aware of their surroundings, walking or jogging in pairs, sticking to well-lit areas, switching directions or crossing a street if they’re being followed and yelling for help and calling 911 if need be.
“We cannot be everywhere all the time,” Burleigh said. “We are doing our best to be as many places as and as often as we can.”
For more information about the investigation into Shen’s death, visit marrisashen.org.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or email at [email protected].
To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).
