METRO VANCOUVER - The murder of 17-year-old Surrey girl Serena Vermeersch is being considered a random attack, according to investigators.

“On the surface, Serena’s murder was a random crime of opportunity that was committed in a secluded area,” said Surrey RCMP Chief Supt. Bill Fordy Thursday, after offering his condolences to the Vermeersch family.

Fordy added the crime was even more “tragic” considering the fact the body was dumped eight blocks away from the Surrey RCMP detachment in an area police cars frequent day and night.

Vermeersch’s body was found Tuesday at 7 p.m. by Search and Rescue in the 14600-block of 66th Avenue in Surrey’s Newton area, near some railway tracks.

Police are now searching for a man last seen leaving the area in a silver/grey Dodge full-sized three-quarter ton pickup truck with a canopy and a roof rack.

The vehicle departed westbound on 66th Avenue and u-turned at Uplands Road, before it headed east on 66th toward 148th Street.

The male, described as wearing dark clothing, was seen walking across the tracks northbound and getting into the vehicle less than an hour before Vermeersch’s body was found.

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Vermeersch was last seen on Monday just after 8 p.m., in the area of 64th Avenue and 128th Street, getting onto a bus. She was reported missing by her mother the next day after not arriving home, which was described as being out of character for the teen.

Police now want to speak to anyone who may have seen the teen on the bus or when she was getting off the bus.

Vermeersch is described as Asian, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 135 pounds, with straight long brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a blue tank top and black shorts.

Fordy is warning the public to be aware and vigilant at all times. He said that people of all ages, but in particular children, are distracted by technology, suggesting Vermeersch may have been taken unawares while on her cellphone.

“Nothing angers me more than innocent people becoming victims of crime,” said Fordy, adding he has made the murder his “number 1 priority” and will add officers to the case to work with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT).

After Vermeersch was identified as the deceased, her friends took to Facebook to remember her.

“She was the sweetest most caring girl you could ever know,” read a post by Alena Zappala, “so beautiful with a great personality and would make everyone laugh. Love you Rena your in a better place now.”

Meanwhile, Vermeersch’s murder underscores Newton’s growing reputation as a crime hot spot in Surrey, with property crimes such as break-and-enters and vehicle theft jumping 35 per cent in the first half of this year compared with a 12-per-cent rise in Whalley, according to Surrey RCMP. And while violent crime rose eight per cent in Newton, there was a three-per-cent drop in Whalley.