IHIT narrows timeline on Marrisa Shen homicide, looking for video from vigil and funeral

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has given an update on the investigation into the death of 13-year-old Marrisa Shen.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, IHIT said investigators have found video footage that they believe has “narrowed our timeline” and helped them determine Shen’s last known whereabouts. Shen was last seen on July 18 at 7:38 p.m. when she was seen walking westbound on the south side of Central Boulevard and crossing McKay Avenue.

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“Police now believe that Miss Shen’s homicide occurred in Burnaby Central Park where she was found. It should be noted that this does not change our belief that Miss Shen’s homicide was random,” IHIT Cpl. Meghan Foster said.

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IHIT said it has followed up on nearly 200 tips and has identified more than 90 persons of interest. It said video has been collected from more than 60 locations and investigators are searching for more video footage.

“Police are now asking that the media, and any member of the public step forward and assist us in our investigation by providing video footage. Specifically, footage from Ms. Shen’s vigil that occurred in Burnaby’s Central Park on July 22nd, and from Ms. Shen’s funeral that occurred at Mountain View cemetery in Vancouver on July 28th,” Foster said.

Police said they aren’t certain whether Shen’s killer was at either event, however an SFU criminologist says it is possible.

Robert Gordon said there’s a chance in the mind of a murderer that the person or persons who killed Shen wanted to attend her vigil or funeral, prompting IHIT’s request for video footage of the events.

Gordon said it would be a very warped way of proceeding for her killer, but adds it’s not unheard of.

“There’s that kind of bizarre excitement that often accompanies these kinds of events,” he said.

“It’s a little like arsonists who are known to attend the scenes of fires that they’ve set in order to enjoy the experience.”

Homicide investigators said they would be remiss not to ask for the footage from the events.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the IHIT Information Line at 1-877-551-IHIT or, if they wish to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 1-800-222-TIPS.

-With files from Matt Lee