Police have made an arrest in connection with the murder of Vanessa Marcotte, a Google executive who was found dead after going jogging in Massachusetts last year.
Angelo Colon-Ortiz, 31, of Worcester, has reportedly been charged with aggravated assault and battery and assault with intent to rape, but is expected to receive a murder charge shortly, according to the Boston Globe.
Ms Marcotte, 27, was found dead in woodland late at night in August last year. She had been staying with her mother for the weekend, and was last seen during the afternoon when she left for a jog in the centre of town.
Worcester District Attorney Joseph D Early reportedly said on Saturday authorities had arrested Mr Colon-Ortiz, after a police officer recognised him from the physical profile and took down his number plate.
Investigators are said to have used the DNA sample found on her body, combined with witness statements from people who might have seen the killer, to create a physical description of a “person of interest,” which they announced in February.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Mr Early said: “We got him. There is also one other person I’d like to thank in this case, and that would be Vanessa Marcotte.
“It was through her determined fight and her efforts that we obtained the DNA of her killer.”
Ms Marcotte’s family released a statement late Saturday night, thanking investigators and the entire community for their help in identifying and finding the suspect.
“After eight long months, we’re able to take the first step toward justice for Vanessa,” they wrote.
“She was a beautiful, intelligent, and generous young woman whose passion for giving back to the community will always be remembered.”
Ms Marcotte's Instagram feed depicted someone who loved the New England Patriots, Boston and the beach.
According to her LinkedIn profile, she graduated from Boston University in 2011, stayed in the Boston area for several years and worked at WordStream, an online advertising company, and Vistaprint.
In January 2015, she started a new job as a healthcare account manager at Google in New York City.
