'It affects everybody': Memorial for Marrisa Shen growing in Burnaby, B.C., park
Body of Shen, 13, was found in Central Park near her home in apparent homicide
A small memorial is beginning to grow at Central Park in Burnaby, B.C., as people leave bouquets and stuffed animals in honour of 13-year-old Marissa Shen, whose body was found there early Wednesday.
Investigators are treating her death as a homicide, and without a motive or suspect, are warning the public to be vigilant.
It's not clear whether Shen was killed in the densely forested park, not far from her family's home, or whether her body was moved into the brush there after her death, said police.
A longtime city councillor said he's not particularly concerned about safety in the wake of Shen's death, but does encourage parents to talk to their kids.
"It affects everybody," said Pietro Calendino, who also chairs the city's public safety committee.
"It's normal for people to have concerns. And obviously, myself, I have concerns."
Calendino, a former MLA who has served on council for 15 years, said he couldn't remember a case like this in the 45 years he has lived in Burnaby.
"I haven't heard of the murder of a young girl, especially in one of our parks," said Calendino.
"Let me stress that Burnaby is a very, very safe community. We rarely have any violent crimes of this type."
- Death of Marrisa Shen, 13, now considered a homicide, say RCMP
- More questions than answers in 'suspicious' death of Marrisa Shen
Patrols increased in park
On Wednesday, when police first made Shen's death public and appealed for witnesses, Burnaby RCMP said they had increased patrols in and around the 86-hectare park, including uniformed and plainclothes officers and bike patrols to access remote terrain.
At the time RCMP said those patrols were continuing for several days, but on Friday police did not respond to a request from CBC News about how long the added patrols would continue.
Calendino echoed advice from police, saying parents should talk to their kids about safety:
- Let parents know where you are going.
- Go with companions.
- Take a cell phone if you have one.
"I would advise parents to have a face-to-face with young children, and let them know that being out alone at night is not a safe thing to do," said Calendino.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team is leading the investigation into Shen's death, and asks the public to contact them with any information.
Specifically, they want to speak to anyone who saw Shen between the hours of 6 p.m. Tuesday at 1 a.m. Wednesday, or anyone who saw anything suspicious in Central Park that night.
Investigators can be reached at 1-899-551-4448 (IHIT) or by email, or can remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).
With files from CBC Radio's The Early Edition