Winnipeg police confirmed Thursday they're treating the death of a woman on June 20 as a homicide case.

Police said they're looking for a suspect in the death of Kaila Latoya Tran, 26.

She was found with serious upper body injuries in the first 100 block of Clayton Drive in St. Vital around 7 a.m. on June 20.

Tran was leaving for work when she was attacked near her car by a man with a knife.

Police and emergency crews were called and worked to save her.

Witnesses watched as Tran's boyfriend came rushing down from his suite and held her hand.

"He was freaking out at first. He was just walking back and forth – angry. And then he's looking at her and (seeing) how bad she was doing and he'd start crying," said one witness.

The victim was rushed to hospital but died from injuries.

CTV News contacted the victim's family. Her sister didn't want to conduct an interview Thursday, saying it was too soon, especially since a suspect hasn't been caught yet.

Officers said the death doesn't appear random. CTV News is told the attacker may have had some type of conflict with someone the victim knew.

"We are exploring more than one possibility. I will acknowledge that in regards to why this occurred and the motivation behind it," said Const. Jason Michalyshen from Winnipeg police.

Wednesday night, police divers searched waters near the crime scene, looking for clues.

"Those members did search the river bank area where we believe the suspect may have been after the incident occurred," said Michalyshen.

On Thursday, family and friends of the victim left flowers and notes near where she was attacked.

"You were such an amazing person. You were the light of my family," said one note.

Officers have released a suspect description in the killing.

Police said the suspect is described as a male in his early twenties, approximately five feet six to six feet tall (167 – 183 cm), with short dark hair, dark, olive skin and a slim build.

Anyone with information on the suspect or incident who has not already spoken to police is asked to call investigators at 986-6508 or Crime Stoppers at 786-8477.

The homicide unit continues to investigate.

- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley