The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person who attacked and killed a young woman jogging in Queens Tuesday night. NY1's Michael Scotto filed the following report.
Police fanned out across the thick marsh in Howard Beach, searching for any clues to lead them to the person who killed 30-year-old Karina Vetrano.
"We're searching this as best we can in very tough conditions," said NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce. "The grass is very high. We're using machetes to search for additional evidence."
Vetrano was out for a run here late Tuesday afternoon when police say she was sexually assaulted and murdered. She was discovered in the marsh just hours later by her father and NYPD detectives, who had gone looking for her after she didn't come home.
Police believe the attack was random and that Vetrano battled hard to save her own life.
"This woman put up a ferocious fight right to the end," Boyce said.
Investigators admit they have few leads and say this murder is an unusual one, happening in broad daylight in a neighborhood that is considered safe. They are now looking for sex offenders in the area and are analyzing her cellphone for information that may point them to a person they say poses a threat to the community.
Mayor Bill de Blasio is urging anyone with information to come forward.
"As a parent, my heart goes out to her father," de Blasio said. "Anyone who knows something needs to call it in to the police right away."
In an effort to gather more clues, police are now offering $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of Vetrano's killer.
Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.