NYPD briefs community on Karina Vetrano probe

NEW YORK (FOX 5 NEWS) - Friends and family of Karina Vetrano came together Monday night at St. Helen Church in Queens. That is the church where she was buried over the weekend. The NYPD briefed the shaken neighborhood on the investigation.

About a thousand people from Howard Beach showed up to hear what investigators and officials had to say. NYPD Assistant Chief Michael Kemper, who is heading the investigation, said cops have interviewed hundreds of people and have collected a dozen surveillance videos near the crime scene. He would not reveal whether or not the killer's DNA was collected at the scene.

During her evening jog Tuesday, Vetrano, 30, was viciously beaten, sexually assaulted, and strangled in a marshy area of Spring Creek Park in the Gateway National Recreation Area, federally owned property.

Many residents are concerned about the high weeds in the area. Jennifer Nersesian of the National Park Service informed the crowd that mowing the weeds down is not an easy or cheap task.

Another concern from residents is the lack of cameras on the perimeter of the park. Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said those funds have now been allocated.

Bob Masters, the Queens assistant district attorney working the case, said every resource at hand is being used to catch Vetrano's killer.

On Sunday, Vetrano's parents spoke publicly about their tragedy. Vetrano's mother, Cathy Vetrano, called the killer a "pathetic, puny, weak piece of filth" who will "burn in hell."

The NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.