SURREY, B.C. — A man has been charged with murder in the death of 13-year-old Marrisa Shen, whose body was found in a Metro Vancouver park in July 2017.
RCMP Supt. Donna Richardson, who is in charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, says Ibrahim Ali has been charged with first-degree murder.
Police said in the days after the girl's murder that they believed she was a victim in a random attack.
Her body was found in wooded area of Central Park in Burnaby just hours after she had left home at 6 p.m. on July 18, 2017.
When police renewed an appeal for information on the first anniversary of Shen's death, Cpl. Frank Jang said investigators were closer to finding her killer.
https://i.cbc.ca/1.4817251.1536595668!/fileImage/httpImage/image.png_gen/derivatives/original_780/ibrahim-ali-indictment.png
And this just in-- Arrest and charges in Marrisa Shen case. Court records search show a Ibrahim Ali, born 1990, charged with murder. We'll learn more in a media update from @HomicideTeam at 10am. So many questions about this. @CTVVancouver pic.twitter.com/jQ5Ydppn2l
— David Molko (@molkoreports) September 10, 2018
In a release marking the one-year anniversary of Shen's death, investigators said they had followed up on 200 tips from the public, reviewed more than 1,000 hours of video and conducted more than 600 interviews. They spoke with approximately 1,300 residents of her neighbourhood as well.
In a letter, Shen’s family said it was difficult to express in words the pain of losing their daughter in “this” terrible way. “We were supposed to see her grow up but instead, we have been deprived of the joy of having her in our lives and we are left with thoughts of what could have been of Marrisa’s life,” they wrote.
In April, police released a criminal profile of the person believed responsible for her killing, which they called a "random act."
Profilers believe the offender lived near the park where Shen's body was found and may have uncharacteristically avoided the area after her death. They said he may have demonstrated other unusual behaviour, including missed work or scheduled appointments, and suicidal gestures or attempts.
They also said he may have shown "interest or special attention to the media coverage related to Marrisa Shen's death."
