New York jogger murder: Police issue sketch of man wanted for questioning over Karina Vetrano death

New York police (NYPD) have released a sketch of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the brutal rape and murder of a young woman who was jogging in a remote parkland. Karina Vetrano, 30, usually went out jogging in her hometown of Howard Beach with her father Philip, but that day he had a bad back and couldn't run. When she failed to return home he raised the alarm and was the person who found his daughter's body.

Now police have released a drawing of a man they would like to speak to about the brutal attack on Ms Vetrano in Queens on 2 August (2016). The man, who is black, 35-45 and bearded, is not said to be a suspect of person of interest but may hold potentially vital information or have seen something suspicious.

The man was seen by a startled worker emerging from weeds in Spring Creek Park near where the speech therapist's body was discovered. NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told reporters the man wore a red t-shirt, dark pants and a hat, which was a little unusual at that time of year. "You'll remember the day was August 2 — a little unusual to be wearing a wool hat in the area there," said Boyce, as reported by Fox News.

Detective Boyce said the victim put up a ferocious struggle before being strangled. Philip Vetrano - a former fire-fighter - had asked his daughter not to go out jogging alone but she said she'd be fine. Her father found her body during a police search in a remote area of the park.

Now Karina's parents Philip and Cathie Vetrano have raised almost $300,000 (£230,000) for information leading to the capture of the killer, the money partly raised on GoFundMe. However so far police have drawn a blank. DNA found on Ms Vetrano's body and phone has so far failed to produce a match and a man Philip said he had noticed in the park for months has now come forward and been eliminated from police inquiries.