A Facebook page set up as a memorial to a teen beaten to death in a suburban Vancouver park has been riddled with insensitive and obscene comments and pictures.
Many of those who have joined the page to write condolences and express support for Laura Szendrei's family and friends have also noted their revulsion for the postings by people police say don't know the 15-year-old.
Delta Police Sgt. Sharlene Brooks said Monday officers are disgusted by the notes and pictures.
"There's some pretty disturbed individuals out there that would take advantage of this and try and bring more grief to this family and her friends," Brooks said Monday.
"That is just very disturbing to us."
The messages were likely created by so-called trolls, virtual vandals who post material to such memorial pages with the aim of offending. Those writing in support of Szendrei urged others on the Facebook page to ignore them.
Just inside the door of Szendrei's high school is a giant white board that has been filled with sad and often poetic remembrances of the Grade 10 student, who is referred to repeatedly as Snookie.
Grief counsellors have been at the school, where classes are off because of a scheduled professional development day.
Szendrei was attacked Saturday afternoon in a wooded area of the park, which is rimmed by sports fields that were in heavy use that day.
She died of her injuries Sunday and Brooks said police still aren't sure whether the deadly assault was random or targeted.
More than 20 Delta police officers are combing the park and are canvassing the surrounding area.
Brooks said investigators are hoping to speak to a man they've identified as a person of interest, someone between 16 and 25 who was seen leaving the park while either talking or texting on a cell phone.
She said police are dismissing a rumour the attack is linked to previous incidents in the community.
"I believe there was pepper spray sprayed in that situation. As far as who was there I haven't confirmed that," she said.
