Police are appealing for help after the death of a woman who was badly beaten and left in a vacant Surrey, B.C., lot last December.

Janice Shore, 45, died in hospital this week after suffering severe head and facial injuries in the attack.

Police say they have no suspects yet and were reluctant to reveal many details about the case.

Cpl. Bert Paquet said much of what had previously been reported about the case is false.

"There are certain events regarding this case that have been widely reported that have not been borne out by our investigations," he said.

"Including reports that the victim was homeless and that she was found chained to a tree. This information is not accurate."

Paquet added that Shore did live a high-risk lifestyle, but would not elaborate further.

"High-risk activities might involve what we call street or trade workers, possibly prostitution or drug use, alcohol use, homelessness ... These do not all directly relate to our victim, but these are what we mean by high risk activities," he said.

In a written statement, Shore's family said she battled with mental health issues for most of her life.

She leaves behind three siblings and three grown children.