Murdered NY jogger's family walks 'trail of tears'
NEW YORK -- Family and friends of the Howard Beach jogger murdered in broad daylight are gathered Tuesday to retrace some of her steps in her memory.
Loved ones of 30-year-old Karina Vetrano walked the so-called "trail of tears" in Queens. They were initially planning to walk Vetrano's last steps, but decided to take a slightly different path so that more people could be involved.
Vetrano's family said the march was intended to help keep attention on the case while it remains unsolved.
Vetrano was strangled and sexually assaulted while out for a run on Aug. 2. Her body was found at Spring Creek Park hours later.
Her father, Phil Vetrano, posted this message on his reward fundraiser site Tuesday:
2 weeks ago today started out like any other day.
I love you daddy , c u later. You 2 baby have a great day at work.
A few short hrs later my life would forever change.
Tonight at 6 pm starting at 165 av and 83 st we will walk along the trail of tears. It is the first of many events to honor Karinas life.
Please attend.
Phil Vetrano has insisted that someone knows something about the case, and the high reward amount should help propel them to come forward. Her mother reiterated that as well.
"If you know him, if you have any idea or thoughts of who it is, you are equally guilty of harboring him," Karina's mother said.
The fundraiser website has pulled in more than $245,000, but only $100,000 is being used as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Karina's killer. The balance above $100,000 will be donated to a charity.
The NYPD has also put up a $25,000 reward in the case.
"This is tragic but it's a beautiful thing to see the community come together," a supporter said.
PHOTOS: Jogger killed at Howard Beach in Queens
Investigators are urging anyone with information in the case to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Click here for all of our coverage of Karina Vetrano's murder.
