A murder suspect bought gasoline the same day that a Google executive was found slain with burnt hands and feet.
Vanessa Marcotte, 27, a graduate of Boston University, was found dead in the woods near her mother’s Princeton home in August 2016 after she’d gone for a morning jog.
Her hands, feet and head had been burned and police found her hair tie and socks tested positive for gasoline and bug spray, New York Daily News reported.
Vanessa Marcotte, 27, a graduate of Boston University, was found dead in the woods near her mother’s Princeton home in August 2016 after she’d gone for a morning jog
Angelo Colon-Ortiz, 31, who was indicted for murder last July, bought gasoline the same day she was killed and burned
Cops believe she was burned by her attacker ‘in an attempt to destroy potential DNA evidence.’
Police now say that Angelo Colon-Ortiz, 31, who was indicted for murder last July, had visited Saveway Convenience – which is just a few miles from where Marcotte was found – on the day of her murder, and bought $5 worth of gasoline.
The victim’s Apple iPhone 6 and several items of clothing were missing from the body, which police believe suggests she was killed elsewhere and dumped at that location.
Colon-Ortiz, 31, visited Saveway Convenience – (pictured) which is just a few miles from where Marcotte was found – on the day of her murder, and bought $5 worth of gasoline
Marcotte, a graduate of Boston University, was found dead in the woods near her mother’s Princeton home in August 2016. Her hands, feet and head had been burned
Colon-Ortiz denies murder and is being held without bail until his next court date in October.
He Ortiz was arrested in April after his DNA matched a DNA profile police had built using samples found on Marcotte’s hands during her autopsy.
He was initially charged with aggravated assault and battery, and assault with attempt to rape.
Colon-Ortiz was arraigned in Leominster District Court and held on $10 million bail.
Marcotte had worked as an executive for Google in New York. She was in Princeton visiting her family when she was killed.
Marcotte’s body was found near the Massachusetts home of her mother (right), whom she was visiting from New York
Family members load Marcotte’s coffin into the back of a hearse after her funeral last year Vanessa Marcotte’s dead body found naked and burned
Colon-Ortiz is a US citizen who had only recently moved from his native Puerto Rico when he allegedly murdered Marcotte.
He was described in his first court appearance as a married FedEx employee.
The District Attorney said earlier this year that Marcotte’s bravery in trying to fight off her killer helped them track down the suspect.
‘It was through her determined fight and efforts that we obtained the DNA of her killer,’ Early said.
In a statement following the arrest, Marcotte’s family said: ‘After eight long months, we’re able to take the first step toward justice for Vanessa.
‘She was a beautiful, intelligent, and generous young woman whose passion for giving back to the community will always be remembered.
‘As we move forward, her spirit will live on through The Vanessa T Marcotte Foundation that strives to empower women to live boldly and fearlessly.’
Investigators search the wooded area where Marcotte’s body was found last year. The Google executive was murdered while out for a jog