Google employee killed after going for jog in Massachusetts

PRINCETON, Mass. — A New York City woman visiting family in Princeton, Massachusetts, was found dead after going jogging, police said.

According to Massachusetts State Police, 27-year-old Vanessa Marcotte was last seen 1 p.m. Sunday when she went for a run. A K-9 unit found her body about a half mile from her mother's house.

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A source told WFXT that Marcotte was found with burns on her head and feet. Investigators are examining the possibility that Marcotte was sexually assaulted and then set on fire.

“People should be concerned; we are asking them to use an abundance of caution,” said Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early.

In a news conference held at noon Monday, police said this is now a homicide investigation and that they do not know if it was a random act.

“We have a horrible set of facts, horrible set of circumstances and we are going to do everything we can to make sure that this investigation is carried out,” Early said.

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According to her LinkedIn page, Marcotte worked for Google in New York City.

Boston University spokesperson Colin Riley told WFXT that Marcotte graduated from the school in May 2011 with honors from the College of Communication.

"We're so terribly sad for her family and friends. They're in our thoughts and prayers," Riley said.

Police said Marcotte was a Leominster native, and her LinkedIn lists her as graduating from The Bancroft School in Worcester in 2007.

Neighbors said they received an automated call from Princeton Police around 8 p.m. Sunday. Massachusetts State Police troopers said they arrived to an already active scene around 10:30 p.m.

Police have asked anyone with information to call 508-453-7589.

On Monday night, WFXT's Christine McCarthy said neighbors were warned not to walk or jog alone while the suspect was still at large. Police said they would be stepping up patrols while they investigated the slaying.

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A similar slaying made headlines last week when a 30-year-old woman was killed after going for a run in New York City. The body of Karina Vetrano, who worked for a caterer and as a speech pathologist, was found in a recreation area near her home.

An autopsy showed that Vetrano died from strangulation and her clothes were in disarray, indicating a possible sexual assault.

New York Police are offering a $10,000 reward for anyone with information on Vetrano's death. Police said they have no reason to believe the two murders are actually related.

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