Six months after 13-year-old Marrisa Shen was found dead in Central Park, investigators have released more information about her movements shortly before her death.
On Thursday, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) released new footage of Shen entering a Tim Hortons at 6200 McKay Ave. and leaving a short while later at 7:37 p.m.
The footage is among the thousands of hours of video police have collected of the youth from 60 locations in and around Central Park.
“Some of this video has been crucial in advancing the investigation, and investigators have reached out to the public in requesting any video or photos taken in or near the park on the evening of July 18, 2017,” notes an IHIT press release.
The investigation into Shen’s death began on the evening of July 18. Her family reported her missing around 11:30 p.m. after she didn’t return to her home in Metrotown. Less than three hours later, Shen’s body was found in the south east side of Central Park.
Her death was deemed a homicide by RCMP two days later, and IHIT took over the case.
Police believe her killing was a random act and have spent the past six months investigating more than 200 tips received on the IHIT tip line. Through the course of the investigation, officers have also identified more than 1,000 people of interest.
“The goal in following up with these individuals is to identify anyone who has information concerning the investigation and to also identify the person responsible for Marrisa Shen’s murder,” notes an IHIT press release.
“IHIT recognizes there is a high-degree of public interest in the homicide of Miss Shen,” IHIT Cpl. Frank Jang said in the press release.
In an effort to help further the investigation, IHIT has created a dedicated website where it has made available to the public several surveillance videos of Shen before her death. There is also a timeline showing her movements before the discovery of her body on July 19.
“Marrisa was a 13-year-old teenager who was about to enter high school prior to her tragic death. We are all invested in this case and, in an effort to maintain and enhance public interest, investigators wanted a single place where the public can easily access information and ongoing updates in this investigation,” Jang said.
“IHIT continues to work closely with the Burnaby RCMP. Our investigators are working tirelessly and continue to conduct door-to-door canvassing of the neighbourhoods surrounding Burnaby’s Central Park.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-IHIT or Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS to remain anonymous. For more information on the investigation, go to http://marrisashen.org.
TIMELINE
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
5 p.m. Marrisa Shen is heard from by phone. (This is the last communication she has with family.)
6:02 p.m. Shen leaves her home, an apartment near Central Park.
6:09 p.m. Shen enters a Tim Hortons at 6200 McKay Ave.
7:37 p.m. Shen leaves the Tim Hortons.
7:38 p.m. Shen is seen on surveillance footage on the south side of Central Boulevard walking westbound and crossing McKay Street.
11:30 p.m. Shen is reported missing to the Burnaby RCMP.
Wednesday, July 19
1:10 a.m. Shen’s body is found in the south east side of Central Park.
