Police are asking local residents who have information to speak to an officer at the command post, which will remain at the quiet low-rise throughout the weekend.
Paramedics, firefighters and police were called to the victim's fourth-floor apartment at 75 Talara Dr. near Bayview and Sheppard avenues at 6:32 p.m. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.
Det. Sgt. Frank Skubic of the homicide squad said an autopsy determined the cause of death was "multiple sharp force" injuries. "There are a number of theories that we are investigating," he told reporters this afternoon.
The victim, who lived alone, was trying to rent out a bedroom in her two-bedroom unit and had posted an online ad on a Chinese website. Police want to speak to people who checked out the apartment as well as to the victim's friends and former boyfriends.
Skubic said police "have not discounted" the possibility that the murder was a random act.
Police don't believe the victim was robbed or sexually assaulted.
Her body was discovered by her boyfriend. Skubic said the man has been questioned and has been fully co-operative and is not considered a suspect.
Jacqui Soutar, a resident of the building, said tenants tend to keep to themselves.
"I've been living in the building for 11 years and we've never had anything like this," she added. "We've had no trouble whatsoever."
Officers from 33 Division are increasing patrols in the area.
This is the city's 46th murder victim of the year.
Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide squad at 416-808-7400 or Crime Stoppers at 416-222-TIPS (8477).