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Slain Jogger's Mother To Killer: You're A "Pathetic, Puny Piece Of Filth"
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 8, 2016
Modified Mar 27, 2018
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 8, 2016
Modified Mar 27, 2018
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A day after their daughter's funeral, the parents of the woman killed while jogging in Queens spoke to the press. Her mother, Cathy Vetrano had this message for the perpetrator: "The whole world (will) know what a pathetic, puny, weak piece of filth you are."
Karina Vetrano, 30, was killed last Tuesday night, during a 5 p.m. run through Howard Beach. Her father, who usually ran with her but didn't that night due a back injury, contacted the police when she didn't return home or answer her phone. At 11 p.m., police tracked her cellphone to Spring Creek Park near 161 Avenue and 78 Street; her father, who had joined the search, was the first to see his daughter's body.
Vetrano was strangled and raped, and the NYPD said that she fought her attacker. Her teeth were reportedly broken during the assault and her hands were found clutching weeds.
Philip and Cathy Vetrano appeared with other family members outside their Howard Beach home yesterday. She told reporters, "My daughter was a force to be reckoned with. And I guarantee you, you motherf-----, that you will be reckoning with that force, not only for the rest of your pathetic life, but for the rest of eternity as you f------ burn in hell."
The grieving mother added, "My daughter was a big believer in karma, and as you can see, she’s magical. The whole world knows she’s magical. And I guarantee you will pay forever."
Philip Vetrano thanked the authorities for their work, "All the police have been tireless, courageous, kind, generous and helpful beyond words. My self and my family owe everything to the NYPD."
There is currently a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Meanwhile, investigators have been combing through the tall, weedy marshlands of Spring Creek Park in search of clues.
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cathy vetrano
howard beach
karina vetrano
murder
philip vetrano
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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