The body found in a burned vehicle in Surrey Wednesday morning has been identified as a 19-year-old college student.
The victim, Bhavkiran (Kiran) Dhesi, was last seen leaving her family home in Surrey on Tuesday at 9 p.m.
On Aug. 2, Surrey RCMP arrived on the scene of a vehicle fire in the 18700-block of 24 Avenue at 12:10 a.m. and after putting out the flames, found a female body that had injuries consistent with homicide.
The Intergrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was called in to investigate.
WATCH: A gruesome discovery in Surrey this morning, after fire crews put out a burning vehicle. Julia Foy has the story.
IHIT said evidence found so far suggests Dhesi’s homicide was not random and the 19-year-old was not known to police or connected to any gang activity.
Investigators are working closely with Surrey RCMP to determine motive and Dhesi’s whereabouts prior to her murder.
PHOTO: On the scene of the burned out vehicle
The burned vehicle, where Dhesi’s body was found, belonged to the family, according to IHIT Cpl. Meghan Foster.
“She spent the last couple of years struggling with some health issues and she had recently recovered from a kidney transplant,” Foster said.
WATCH: Aerial view of burned out SUV along 24th Ave in Surrey
Foster said police are talking to persons of interest associated with the case and do not believe the location of Dhesi’s body and the burned car is where the homicide took place.
“A very caring person,” is how Alishia Rai remembers her childhood friend.
Rai says Dhesi was very strong when she had to undergo a kidney transplant, adding it’s how she’s always known her.
“When she was in my high school we would just talk, or say hi in the hallways. She would just give me a smile and I’d give her a smile back and she would always be cheerful and stuff.”
Anyone with information about Dhesi or her whereabouts is asked to contact IHIT or Crime Stoppers.
With files from CKNW reporter Michelle Morton