'It affects everybody': Memorial for Marrisa Shen growing in Burnaby, B.C., park

A small memorial is beginning to grow at Central Parkin 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 forestedpark, 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 haslived 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 ofMarrisaShen, 13, now considered a homicide, sayRCMP
• More questions than answers in 'suspicious' death ofMarrisaShen

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 RCMPsaid those patrols were continuing for several days, but on Friday police did not respondto 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 canremain anonymous by callingCrime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS).

With files from CBC Radio's The Early Edition