Police seek bike in Gatineau teen slaying probe

Police in Gatineau, Que., say they are looking for a black bicycle seen near the site where 18-year-old Valérie Leblanc was found dead in late August.

Leblanc's body was found badly beaten and burned in a forest behind Cégep de l'Outaouais in Gatineau's Hull sector three months ago and police still do not have any suspects.

The girl went missing on her first day of school and some students found her body near a path on Aug. 23. An autopsy later showed she died from severe blows to the head.

Police have previously said an "important witness" was seen walking along with a bicycle. The bicycle is now described as a low-end mountain bike with a straight handlebar, with a diagonal red line on the upper frame and a black seat with a red centre.

Officers working in Mont Bleu neighbourhood

Officers are also canvassing Gatineau's Mont Bleu neighbourhood looking for more information in the case.

On October 13, after the investigation was about a month-and-a-half old, Gatineau police released a sketch of an "important witness," posting the image on their website and a Facebook page.

Investigators said Tuesday the sketch, which was also distributed to police departments in Quebec and Ontario, has led to more than 1,000 tips. They also said the witness was seen walking with a limp.

Leblanc's mother, Julie Charron, has also spoken out pleading for the public's help to solve the case.