Police are continuing their investigation into the sudden and suspicious death of a woman at a home near York University on Friday.

The body of a 23-year-old woman was found inside a basement apartment located at 27 Aldwinckle Hts., near Keele Street and Finch Avenue.

At a press conference Sunday afternoon, Det. Sgt. Frank Skubic said the woman was having an online web-cam conversation with a person overseas when someone knocked at the woman's door at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Friday.

The person overseas, who police are calling the "online witness," reports that the woman opened a door to a man whom the witness didn't recognize. The witness said they were unsure if the man was known to the woman.

The witness reports that a physical struggle began between the man and the woman. The man then turned off the woman's laptop computer. Police say the laptop, an IBM ThinkPad T400, is currently missing.

The woman is believed to have been a Chinese exchange student.

A representative from the Chinese consulate initially visited the scene Friday afternoon after being contacted by the woman's mother in China.

Skubic said the woman was found unclothed from the waist down.

"It was obvious that she had been dead for some period of time," he said.

However, Skubic said there were no obvious signs of sexual assault or trauma and further studies including a toxicology report are needed before police can determine the cause of the woman's death.

Police say they know the identity of the deceased, but are not releasing her name at the time. A cell phone that authorities say belonged to the woman has been found and is being investigated.

Skubic said the woman's family is currently making plans to come to Canada.

Police describe the suspect as:

  • Male
  • White
  • 20-30 years old
  • 6 ft. tall
  • 175-200 lbs
  • Muscular build
  • Medium-length brown hair that was messy at the front and well groomed in the back.
  • Last seen wearing a blue crewneck T-shirt

Police are asking other residents in the multi-unit building to help them in their investigation.

If anyone has any information they are asked to call Det. Seg. Frank Skubic at 416−808−7399, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416−222−TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave a tip onFacebook.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Naomi Parness