Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said Thursday that police are not close to an arrest in the case of the Queens jogger sexually assaulted and killed earlier this month.
This came after the parents of 30-year old Karina Vetrano said Thursday that investigators were close to finding her killer.
"I certainly feel for the family of this young woman, that they would like to have a resolution to the grief they're feeling, but we can't provide that at this time," Bratton said to reporters Thursday.
"We do not have a suspect, we are not close to an arrest — not having a suspect — and once again we appeal to anybody in the public that might have any information to please call into our TIPS hotline," the police commissioner continued.
Cathie and Phil Vetrano had spoken to reporters outside their Howard Beach home Thursday afternoon and said they were confident that it is just a matter of time before their daughter's killer is caught.
They said they are sure of that in part because of the progress they said police have made in the investigation, saying police have strong leads and several suspects in mind. They said they believe an arrest could come in days.
The parents also used the opportunity to speak out and appeal to anyone that can lead police to the right suspect faster.
They said they hope that someone close to the killer will come forward with information and claim the reward.
"We know that there is a family member of the killer, that we need for them to come forward," Phil Vetrano said. "She is in great distress. And we know she wants to make that call."
The Vetrano's GoFundMe campaign raised more than $250,000 in reward money for information leading to the arrest of their daughter's killer. The city police and fire departments have offered another $25,000.
Karina Vetrano went jogging the night of August 2 and never returned. Her father found her body in a nearby marsh several hours later. Police said Vetrano was beaten, sexually assaulted, and strangled.
Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com