The grief-stricken parents of slain Delta teenager Laura Szendrei have issued a public appeal for any information that could aid the police investigation into their daughter’s death.

Szendrei, 15, died in hospital on September 26 in the presence of family members after she was found seriously injured the day before in North Delta’s Mackie Park, the site of a daytime attack reported to police.

Her father, Mike Szendrei, made the following comments in a statement released yesterday (October 13) by Delta Police:

“I am not the type to ask for help but today I am asking - if anyone knows anything about what happened to our daughter or knows who is responsible for her death please call the Delta Police,” he said.

“I pride myself on being the protector and provider for my family,” he added. “As a father I am enraged that someone has taken my daughter Laura who was so precious, innocent and full of life. I loved her with all my being and she knew that.”

Laura Szendrei’s mother, Rachel, described her daughter as a wonderful young girl who was greatly loved.

“We are very proud parents of two amazing girls but now we are broken and deeply grieved by the loss of our Laura,” she said, according to the statement.

“Two weeks ago today [October 13], we laid our loving and beautiful 15-year-old daughter Laura to rest and we stand before you as parents who are sickened with grief over the senseless death of our daughter,” she added. “Every parent’s nightmare is now our unthinkable reality.”

Rachel Szendrei also expressed gratitude for the support the family has received.

“Our family has been deeply touched by the outpouring of support, care and sympathy from everyone in the community,” she said. “To Laura’s friends, teammates, teachers and acquaintances we thank you for all you have done to pay tribute to Laura.

“The closeness of a community, like Delta, is something we take for granted and just don’t fully realize until a time like this. So, from our family to yours – thank you for caring for us.”

Delta police say they will “not leave any stone unturned” in the investigation into the “senseless homicide”, and say they have received more than 350 tips so far.

Anyone with information can contact the Delta Police Department at 604-946-4411.