New York

Man in Custody in Connection to Death of Jogger Karina Vetrano: Police Sources

What to Know

  • Karina Vetrano's beaten body was found Aug. 2 in a marshy park in Queens.
  • Her family and supporters rallied on Thursday to mark six months since her death.
  • Police say a person is in custody, but didn't release any further details.

A man is in custody Saturday in the death of Karina Vetrano, who was killed while jogging in a park in Queens, police sources tell NBC New York.

Vetrano, a 30-year-old avid runner, had been beaten, strangled and sexually assaulted on Aug. 2 in Howard Beach.

Detectives found the man in Brooklyn with the help of forensic evidence after looking at more than 200 suspects that fit a certain profile. Police sources say the person's DNA matches the DNA profile retrieved from Vetrano.

The man was interviewed on Tuesday, and he volunteered a DNA sample and the results came back Saturday, sources say.

Police sources say that the person in custody has an arrest history, but nothing of a sexual nature that would have made detectives focus on him specifically.

Vetrano's father Phil usually ran with her, but stayed home with an injury the day she was killed. 

A video released in September shows Vetrano jogging near her Howard Beach home the day she disappeared. Her body was later found in a marshy area just off the trail at Gateway National Recreation Area.

A GoFundMe page set up after Vetrano's death has raised nearly $290,000 toward the investigative effort. 

Her family held a rally on Thursday to mark six months since her death, and asked the state for additional DNA testing that day.

Phil Vetrano didn't immediately respond to a phone message and text seeking comment Saturday night. 

Contact Us