Toronto police said on Thursday that a young woman who died after she was found shot in the Port Lands area was working in the sex trade, but could not confirm her job had any connection to her death.

Leanne Freeman, 23, of Winnipeg was found with severe injuries, lying in a pool of blood in the middle of Unwin Avenue, west of Leslie Street just after 1 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Emergency crews rushed the unconscious woman to hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead. A post-mortem examination determined Freeman died of a single gunshot wound to the body.

"It is important to emphasize to you … that I cannot say with any certainty whatsoever that Leanne's employment has anything to do with her murder," Det. Sgt. Brian Borg told reporters on Thursday.

"With all that said, I am also unable to say at this time that it is not. I cannot rule it out."

Also known as Amanda Freeman, Borg said the woman was known to police but did not have a criminal record. He said she had a history with drug abuse and is believed to have been working as a prostitute for some time.

Borg said members of the sex trade industry should take extra precautions in the wake of Freeman's death, adding that the Toronto police special victim's unit would be reaching out to those in the industry and assist with the investigation.

Police said Freeman was living a "transient lifestyle" and had returned to Toronto several months ago after living in various areas of Ontario and Manitoba, where her family resides.

A driver found Freeman bleeding on Unwin Avenue, a road in the industrial Port Lands area. Borg said the area was remote and quiet, although police believe someone who works in the area may have seen something.

Borg added that it wasn't clear whether someone dumped the woman's body there or if she was in the area on her own. He said it is reasonable to believe that a vehicle was involved in the case.

"Leanne's death has obviously touched a nerve with many people. My investigators have received tremendous cooperation and assistance from members of the public," Borg said.