DA: Princeton jogger fought attacker before her death

PRINCETON, Mass. — Detectives have determined that there was a struggle between the Princeton jogger and her killer, and are asking the public for help.

Officials said the assailant, a man, likely suffered scratches and bruises during the struggle with Vanessa Marcotte. Anyone who has noticed someone with suspicious scratches or bruises should call the tip line.

Twenty-seven-year-old Marcotte was murdered in Princeton while on an afternoon jog near Brooks Station Road Sunday. Police say Marcotte was found naked, burned and possibly sexually assaulted.

Police have been working around the clock to find the killer. They are not sure if it was random or not.

The District Attorney also said they have refined the timeline of Marcotte's death to between 1 and 3 p.m. Anybody who saw any vehicle parked on Brooks Station Road during that time Sunday is asked to call the tip line.

The entire news conference was carried live on FOX25 News at 4. It was brief and questions were not taken.

FOX25 has learned that a Princeton restaurant was at one point an area of interest.

A manager at the Mountain Barn Restaurant told FOX25 that Mass State Police detectives came to the restaurant Sunday evening to question employees. The restaurant sits next to a cell phone tower.

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>> PHOTOS: Jogger found dead in Princeton

There was also an active scene Thursday in the woods near where Marcotte's body was found. This time, investigators were focused on an area about a half mile south of where the search was concentrated Monday.

Police told FOX25 they have received at least 100 tips from the public. FOX25's Malini Basu was on FOX25 News at 10 p.m. with the latest in the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Vanessa Marcotte tip line at (508) 453-7589.

Cox Media Group