The Lower Mainland’s homicide team is trying to piece together a timeline of the moments that led up to the death of a Langley teen, whose body was found in Surrey last week.
Wenyan Michael Zhao’s body was found in the area of 99A Avenue and 179 Street around 5:30 a.m. Friday. The 17-year-old had been reported missing in Langley hours before by his mother, who last saw him leaving their home in Langley around 9 p.m. Thursday.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) says investigators have since learned that the teen was last seen leaving the area of Willowbrook Mall around 9:45 p.m. Thursday.
“Preliminary information indicates that this is an isolated event with no connections to the B.C. Gang Conflict,” IHIT said Monday.
“Canvassers are speaking with family and friends of Michael Zhao and are constructing a timeline of his activities.”
IHIT says it’s specifically looking to build a timeline of the teen’s movements between 9 p.m. July 18 and 5:30 a.m. July 19. Investigators are sharing a still image from surveillance cameras at Willowbrook Mall with the hopes someone may remember seeing him.
Zhao was last seen wearing a tan or light brown coloured t-shirt with “Nike” on the front in white writing, dark shorts with tan trim along the bottom, and sneakers.
IHIT is asking anyone with information to contact its information line at 1-877-551-4448 or email ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca.