Officials announce break in Marcotte murder case – The Boston Globe

Vanessa Marcotte.

Authorities said Thursday that they have DNA and are seeking a person of interest in the baffling murder of Vanessa Marcotte in the Central Massachusetts town of Princeton.

Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said at a press conference that, based on witness statements and information extracted from the DNA, investigators are looking for a Hispanic or Latino male in his thirties who may have been in the area where Marcotte was killed on Aug. 7. He asked for the publics help in finding the person.

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Early described the person of interest as having light to medium brown skin, an athletic build, and a shaved head or short hair. He said the person would possibly have had scratches on his face, neck, arms, hands, and upper body around the time of the murder.

Early would not say where the DNA was recovered, but added, We feel this DNA is from our person of interest.

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He cautioned people not to confront the man, if they think they know who he is. They should call authorities instead.

I could only ask for your prayers, said John Marcotte. Thats all we want: justice.

Marcotte, 27, who lived in New York, was visiting her mother on Sunday, Aug. 7, when she went for an afternoon run. When she didnt return, her family called police, who found her body in the woods off Brooks Station Road, about a half-mile from her mothers home.

Police believe the attack happened between 1 p.m. when Marcotte left her mothers house and 4 p.m. Her body was found at 8:20 p.m.

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Police revealed in November that they were looking for a dark SUV seen in the area. On Thursday, Early reiterated that detail.

Early said anyone with information fitting the decription of the person of interest should contact authorities at 508-453-7589, an anonymous tip line.

We want to do everything we can to find this killer, he said.

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Officials announce break in Marcotte murder case - The Boston Globe