Police Conduct Homicide Investigation After BU Grad Found Dead In Princeton, Mass.

When 27-year-old Vanessa Marcotte went for a run Sunday afternoon in Princeton, her family expected her back soon. But after she didn't come home, they called the police.

By around 8 p.m., a state police K-9 unit had found her body in the woods, just a half-mile from her mother's house.

Now, a homicide investigation is underway to find out what happened to Marcotte.

"We do not know if this was a random act," said Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. at a news conference Monday. "We are asking the residents of Princeton and the surrounding areas to use an abundance of caution. We're asking the public to be careful and to be vigilant."

The tip line in the investigation into Marcotte's death is 508-453-7589 and callers may remain anonymous. A vigil will be held for Marcotte Tuesday night at the First Congregational Church in Princeton.

Michael Levenson, reporter for The Boston Globe's State House bureau. He's covering the death of Vanessa Marcotte. He tweets @mlevenson.