The body of a 22-year-old British Columbia model, who was working for one of China's leading modelling agencies, has been found near Shanghai, CTV has learned.

Friends and family of Diana Gabrielle O'Brien on Salt Spring Island, were informed of the discovery by RCMP officials early Monday morning.  It is being treated as a homicide, police said.

At the time of her death, O'Brien was working for Jh. Model in Shanghai. She had traveled to Chong Ming island, east of Shanghai, for an overnight modelling job. Thats where her body was found.

The Jh Model Agency specializes in providing models to fashion stores, television commercials, promotions and exhibitions.

On its website, Jh describes itself as one of the top agencies for eastern China.

O'Brien's relatives have been told that she was on overnight assignment at the time of her death.

The news of her death was relayed to RCMP in B.C. by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, CTV has learned.

Aside from her work with Jh Model, O'Brien is also listed with the Barbara Coultish modelling agency in Victoria.

With a report by CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington