Pal Witnesses Friend's Attack as They Chat Via Webcam

A frantic pal watched helplessly as his friend was attacked by a man as the two chums spoke in different countries 11,000 miles apart via webcam. Qian Liu, 23, was found dead in her Toronto apartment by an acquaintance alerted by the friend. He was speaking with the Beijing exchange student when a man knocked on Liu's door to ask to use her telephone. The friend watched the two struggle before the attacker shut down Liu's laptop.

The "online witness" has provided a detailed description of the attacker, said investigators. Police have not recovered the computer but have found a cell phone in the apartment that may be linked to the killer. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Liu was found naked from the waist down, reports CTV. Liu's family is traveling from China to retreive her body. A spokesman from York University where Liu was studying English called her death a "terrible tragedy." (More webcam stories.)