The body of a young woman found dead in a car in St. Henri last Friday is that of LaSalle insurance worker Jessica Neilson, her family confirmed on Tuesday as police opened a murder investigation. Neilson's family referred to the 25-year-old mother as "a ray of sunshine" and said that burial preparations are underway following the "tragic loss." "Jessica was a scholar, athlete, daughter, sister, mother, niece, cousin and friend to many," said the statement by Neilson's uncle, Dan. "Her infectious smile and constant laughter was enjoyed by everyone she touched. A ray of sunshine everywhere she went will shine bright through her daughter." Montreal police still won't confirm that the body was that of Neilson, who disappeared in early December. But police spokesman Daniel Lacoursiere told CTV News there's no doubt someone killed her. "Today we can say it's a murder," Lacoursiere said. "The autopsy confirms that." Police say they still have no leads and no suspects in the woman's death. Neilson's boyfriend was questioned after her disappearance in December, but police later ruled him out as a suspect. Missing for two months Neilson had been missing since Dec. 8. She is believed to have been on her way to meet friends, after leaving her 2� -year-old daughter, Katrina, at home with her live-in boyfriend. She was driving a white four-dour 1994 Acura Integra. The discovery At around 9:20 a.m. on Friday, a construction worker called police to report seeing a body in a white Acura that matched the description of Neilson's car. The car was parked in an alley behind 3459 Notre Dame St. W. near the intersection of Greene Ave. and Workman St. Alexandre Fournier said he saw noticed the woman in the car on Thursday, but didn't think anything of it. "I thought she was sleeping," he said. But by the next morning, when he noticed she hadn't moved, he approached the car to take a closer look. The woman was slumped in the passenger seat with keys in her hand. Police believe the body may have been there for months, leaving many wondering why no one noticed the abandoned car sooner. "The car was probably under the snow, so that's probably why during the winter, nobody found the vehicle," Montreal police Const. Philippe Collins told CTV Montreal on Friday. Outpouring of condolences A Facebook group originally created to help in the search for Neilson has become a forum for people to express their condolences. More than 900 members have joined the group. "I will never forget you. My busy little co-worker, friend and ray of sunshine," wrote one young woman. "To the family and friends of Jessica, hopefully your heart has a little peace knowing she was found," wrote another member of the group. On Friday evening, some of Neilson's friends and colleagues arrived at the scene after the white Acura was towed from the alley. They left flowers, candles, and cards, and a helium balloon that read "You're so very special." "It's definitely a shocking discovery," said one woman. "We can only hope that now that we've found her ... there can be some peace for the family, and we can figure out what happened."
