'Webcam' murderer produced in court

Toronto:  Relatives of a murdered Chinese woman whose struggle with her attacker was seen on webcam by her boyfriend in China visited the coroner's office on Thursday, as the suspect in the attack made his first court appearance.

Police said the man charged with the murder lives in the same building as the victim.

The body of York University student Liu Qian, 23, of Beijing, was found last Friday in her apartment in Toronto a few hours after her boyfriend witnessed the attack, police said.

Liu's father, Liu Jianhui, who arrived from China after being notified of his daughter's death, thanked authorities for their quick action.

Police refused to publicly release any details about the crime or its possible motive.

Liu was naked from the waist down but there were no obvious signs of sexual assault or trauma severe enough to kill her.

An autopsy on Liu's body was inconclusive, and police say it may be weeks before the results of toxicology tests are known.

Brian Dickson, 29, lived in one of the units at 27 Aldwinckle Heights and Liu lived in the basement apartment, a police source said.

In court on Thursday, Dickson did not enter a plea and his case was held over until 26 April. The justice of the peace imposed a publication ban on nearly all other details.

Dickson was arrested on Wednesday. Toronto spokesman Tony Vella said Dickson was known to police but would not elaborate.

Police only announced his name and age on Wednesday and asked the media not to publish any photos of Dickson, saying it could compromise the investigation. Vella declined to elaborate on the request further.

Liu was chatting with her boyfriend, Meng Xianchao, by webcam at about 1 a.m. on Friday when a man knocked on the door, police said.

Meng reported seeing a struggle break out between the two before Liu's webcam was shut off. Meng contacted other friends in Toronto who in turn called police.