Here on Stolen Lives, we discuss brutal and heartbreaking crimes against children.

Themes may include child murder, torture, and sexual domestic and child abuse.

I do try my best to remain respectful for the babies in these stories

and leave out unnecessary details that honestly, none of us need to know to understand the frustration of why

and how this ever happened. However, if you find any of these themes triggering this podcast may

not be for you. Listen, our discretion is advised. This week's episode is a listener suggestion.

Thank you to Laura for bringing Marissa's story to my attention.

This story is one that is extremely heartbreaking,

and this young girl's murder almost gets overshadowed

by the political players trying to elevate to their own election campaigns.

To add to this, Marissa's identity was initially protected by a publication ban until after the

trial was complete. But Marissa is a person who loved and was loved. She had plans for the future and was

only just discovering who she was before her life was stolen away from her. She deserves to be the

most important player in this story, so she is not forgotten. July 2017, Burnaby in Vancouver, Canada. In the early morning hours,

police were searching for a 13-year-old girl who was reported missing two hours earlier.

Tragically, her body would be found in a wooded area. She was brutally, sexually assaulted and strangled.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

After a year-long investigation, an arrest was made. But what would follow is a case filled with delays and controversies, overshadowing what is of most importance here. Justice for Marissa Shen.

This is Marissa's story.

Marissa Shen was just 13, ready to start grade 9 in the fall.

Her death has shocked people here, even those who didn't know her.

It's tragic.

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