Howard Beach, Queens Neighbors Walk To Remember Karina Vetrano
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- People who live in Howard Beach, Queens were set to gather Tuesday for a memorial walk to remember murder victim Karina Vetrano.
Vetrano, 30, was strangled and possibly sexually assaulted exactly two weeks ago Tuesday after she left for a run in the Spring Creek federal park land near the Belt Parkway, police said.
As CBS2's Jessica Layton reported, the community has been on edge ever since as no killer has been located or identified.
Holding balloons and bearing heavy hearts, hundreds of people filled the streets of Howard Beach to remember the woman who fought for her life before she was killed on her evening jog.
"We gather here to pray for her soul, and for her parents who are hurting so much," said Breeda Connolly of Howard Beach.
The pain was apparent as Vetrano's mother spoke of the murderer.
"He's a weak, evil piece of s**t, and that's too good to call him," said Cathy Vetrano.
The group walked in Karina Vetrano's honor is a reminder that somewhere, the killer is also walking free.
"We should be safe where we live," said Dorothy McCluskey.
"We're together as a community, and we won't allow anyone to come in our community and get away with this," said Thomas Vicente of Ozone Park.
One of the women organizing the walk said nothing has been the same in Howard Beach since Vetrano was murdered. It was around 5 p.m. Aug. 2 that Vetrano went into the marshy area of Spring Creek Park and never came home.
Vetrano's father, Philip, along with authorities, found her body hours later. Police said Vetrano put up a ferocious fight against her attacker.
On Tuesday night, the Howard Beach community came together for a walk in Vetrano's honor and for some neighborhood bonding time.
Vetrano's parents attended the walk, as police continued the search for the killer.
Philip Vetrano told CBS2's Layton the Howard Beach community has been his family's life-preserver in this unbearable time.
"The community has come together all through this -- not just tonight, from the minute she was missing, the community has been there and only gotten stronger and stronger and stronger," he said. "This is a showing for the world to see how strong this community is."
Releasing balloons into the sky for Karina Vetrano during the walk, her father hoped this message reached the right person.
"Turn yourself in," he said. "Turn yourself in."
Signs have been posted on every block in the neighborhood pointing out that a $100,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
