A 17-year-old Surrey girl whose body was found near train tracks Tuesday night appears to have been murdered at random, according to homicide investigators.

A search and rescue team found Serena Vermeersch, who was reported missing early Tuesday morning, in the 14600-block of 66 Avenue Tuesday night at around 7.

Surrey RCMP did not immediately deem it a homicide, instead referring to the death as “suspicious,” but the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has since taken over the case.

Investigators are now canvassing businesses and neighbours near the murder scene, trying to piece together what happened.

The teen was last seen Monday, boarding a transit bus on the corner of 64 Avenue and 128 Street at around 8:10 p.m., according to police.

Police are also looking for a man seen crossing the train tracks northbound, near 66 Avenue and Hyland Road, and then getting into his truck – less than an hour before Vermeersch’s body was found.

The truck reportedly drove westbound on 66 Avenue before doing a U-turn, then heading eastbound toward 148 Street.

The truck is described as a grey/silver full-sized, three-quarter ton Dodge pickup with a canopy and a roof rack installed. The driver was reportedly wearing dark clothing.

In a release issued by police after she went missing, Vermeersch’s family said her disappearance was “out of character,” and she had never gone missing before.

“She was very much dedicated to her family, she kept in touch with her family on a regular basis,” IHIT spokeswoman Staff-Sgt. Jennifer Pound said in a news conference Thursday. “It wasn’t in her normal day-to-day behavior to avoid contacting [them].”

With no suspect in custody, and Vermeersch’s death not being considered a targeted attack, Surrey RCMP are urging residents to stay vigilant when walking alone late at night.

“Nothing angers me more than innocent people becoming victims of crime,” Chief-Supt. Bill Fordy said. “Use common sense, be aware of your surroundings, and do everything that you can to make yourself as safe as possible.

An autopsy performed Thursday is expected to shed more light on Vermeersch’s death.

Anyone with information is asked to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.