Qian Liu, 23, from Beijing is shown in this image from a York University student website. Liu was found dead in her apartment on April 15. (CBC)

A funeral service was held Wednesday morning in Toronto for Qian Liu, the 23-year-old York University student who was found dead in her basement apartment.

Her parents are in Toronto for the visitation and service after arriving from Beijing a week ago.

Liu was living in a townhouse near the university.

She was engaged in an online video chat with her boyfriend, who lives in China, around 1 a.m. ET on April 15 when there was a knock on her door. She opened the door to a man and a struggle ensued.

CBC’s Michelle Cheung attended the funeral, and said there were several hundred mourners in attendance, many Chinese exchange students.

“It was so packed that it really was standing-room only,” Cheung reported on CBC News Network.

Cheung reported Qian's father Liu Jianhui, was so overcome with grief during the service he had to stop several times during his eulogy.

“He said that in recent days when we think of this, the pain is indescribable,” Cheung quoted him as saying. “The pain cannot be stopped. We even had thoughts of joining her, but her 85-year-old grandmother is waiting for us in Beijing and we have to be strong and we have to bring her home.”

After the public service, a private cremation service will be held for Liu.

Police have said that some of the struggle was witnessed by her boyfriend via the online chat before Liu's computer was switched off.

Her body was found in the apartment later that morning after police were notified by Canadian friends of her boyfriend.

Brian Dickson a former York University student, is charged with first-degree murder in the case.

His lawyer has said Dickson, 29, will plead not guilty.