Phila. Parking Authority Pushes Reward to $50,000 in Slain Jogger Case
By Tony Hanson and Jan Carabeo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murder of a Northeast Philadelphia woman reached $50,000 this morning.
The reward includes money from the City of Philadelphia, from the Fraternal Order of Police, the Philadelphia Police and Fire Credit Union, District Council 21, and from the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
Kevin McClain, the brother of murdered jogger Constance McClain-Murray, is a longtime employee of the Parking Authority.
McClain-Murray's body was found Tuesday morning in the 3000 block of Holme Avenue, at the edge of Pennypack Park, after she failed to return from her routine jog on Monday evening.
"Our board chair, Joe Ashdale, and the staff of the Philadelphia Parking Authority are joining with all Philadelphians in expressing our shock and grief at the senseless murder of Connie McClain-Murray," Vince Fenerty, executive director of the PPA, said today at a noontime press conference.
Capt. James Clark of the Philadelphia Police Department's homicide unit said authorities have received a number of tips regarding the crime and are reviewing surveillance video that may provide additional information.
Clark said investigators are retracing some of their steps, reinterviewing some witnesses in the case in the hope of uncovering additional information.
Homicide detectives were back on scene for the fourth straight day Friday attempting to find McClain-Murray's cell phone.
They brought in heavy machinery to cut overgrown brush in the area where the victim's body was found, but, again, did not find her phone.
Detectives completed their investigation in Pennypack Park in the afternoon and tell Eyewitness News that it was likely their last day on scene unless they get new information.
So far, investigators have no suspects and say they have released a man they found in the woods on Thursday and took in for questioning.
"We've brought in several people from the area and spoken with them," Clark said. "Right now, no one has been labeled as a suspect."
As the investigation winds down on scene, detectives pledge that their work is only beginning.
"We've gotten a lot of tips," Clark said. "Right now, none have panned out yet, but we're going to continue working."
Arrangements for McClain-Murray are coming together. According to a Facebook page, her funeral will be on Monday.