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Police Ask For Public's Help To Identify Suspect In Princeton Homicide

Officials are asking for the public's help to identify the suspect or suspects in the murder of a woman whose body was found in the woods of the central Massachusetts town of Princeton Sunday night.

Undated driver license photo released by the Worcester County District Attorney's Office shows Vanessa Marcotte, whose body was found Sunday night. (Worcester County DA's office/AP)
Undated driver license photo released by the Worcester County District Attorney's Office shows Vanessa Marcotte, whose body was found Sunday night. (Worcester County DA's office/AP)

Vanessa Marcotte, a 27-year-old who lived in New York City, went missing during a run while visiting her mother, according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. Police say her body was found partially naked and burned about a half mile from her mother's house.

Marcotte worked as an account manager at Google.

Officials say they have received hundreds of leads so far, but the police have not yet announced a suspect.

"We're still approaching this from every angle," Early said. "We don't know if this was a random act. We cannot speak to that right now. Again, we're asking the citizens of Princeton to use an abundance of caution with regards to this."

On Tuesday, the Massachusetts State Police posted on Facebook asking for anyone with information regarding this case to come forward.

"Anyone with any information, or who may have seen anything suspicious on Sunday afternoon, or who may have seen someone or something that just seemed to not look right for the surroundings, should please call the State Police tip line," the post read. "No tip is inconsequential or irrelevant; no matter what it is, please call the tip line, because it may be valuable to investigators seeking justice for Ms. Marcotte."

You could call the investigation's tip line at 508-453-7589. Police say calls could remain anonymous.

Police said the town of Princeton hasn't had a homicide in three decades.

In a statement Monday, Google said it is "deeply shocked and saddened" by Marcotte's killing.

"Vanessa Marcotte was a much loved member of the Google team, working in our New York office for the last year and a half, and known for her ubiquitous smile, passion for volunteer work and love of Boston sports," the company said.

A vigil is planned for Marcotte in Princeton Tuesday night.

Marcotte's family is not providing any statements and requests privacy, according to state police.

With reporting by the WBUR Newsroom and The Associated Press

This article was originally published on August 09, 2016.

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