Serena Vermeersch, 17, killed in apparent random attack

SerenaVermeersch a Surrey, B.C., teen found dead earlier this week was killed in an apparently random attack, homicide investigators said at a news conference on Thursday.

Surrey RCMP Chief Supt. Bill Fordysaid the 17-year-old's death appears to be a random crime of opportunity, and cautioned the public "to be vigilant."

"Any loss of life is a tragedy, but Serena had just turned 17 and had her whole life ahead of her,"Fordy said.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) said evidence collected at the scene supports the theory that the teenwas murdered.

Vermeersch was reported missing by her mother on Tuesday morning when she didn't come home after going out the previous night.

Her body was found Tuesday night in the14600 block of66Avenuenear a set of railroad tracks in Surrey's East Newton neighbourhood, Fordy said. Police have not released the cause of death.

Last seen boarding bus

Vermeersch was last seen alive at 8:15 p.m. PT Monday night as sheboarded a bus at the corner of 128 Street and 64 Avenue.

"We are lookingto speak with anyone who may have seen her on this bus or when she got off the bus," saida police spokesperson.

Police said the teen five feet eight inches tall andweighingabout 135 pounds was last seen wearing a blue tank top and black shorts.

Investigatorswould also like to speak with a man wearing dark clothing seenwalking on the railroadtracks between 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Police said the man was seen leaving the area in agrey or silver Dodge full-size, three-quarter-tonpickup truck with a full canopy and roof rack about an hour before Vermeersch'sbody was found.

The truck went west on 66 Avenue, made a U-turn at UplandRoad and headed east on 66 Avenuetoward 148 Street, police said.

• On mobile? See a map of the 14600 block of 66 Avenue here