Friends, family remember jogger killed in Princeton

PRINCETON, Mass. — Hundreds of people gathered at the First Congregational Church in Princeton Tuesday to remember a jogger who was killed over the weekend.

Vanessa Marcotte was in town visiting her mother. While out for a jog Sunday afternoon, the 27-year-old was murdered.

FOX25's Malini Basu was at the church Tuesday night as the community mourned.

“I didn't even know her, [but] the fact that it happened in our town...this doesn't happen in Princeton,” mourner Terry Bennett said.

Community members left a large collection of flowers and candles in honor of Marcotte.

“She was very, very nice. A genuine person,” Marcotte’s high school friend, Justine Popik, said. “Everyone really, really liked her. She was so smart.”

Marcotte's father told the Boston Globe that his daughter was "a great kid." John Marcotte asked for the community's prayers and said his family wanted justice. The grieving father told the Globe that his daughter was not involved with anyone romantically and was extremely dedicated to her job.

The district attorney said it isn’t clear if the murder was random.

Anyone with information is asked to call an anonymous tip line at (508) 453-7589.

Cox Media Group