Marcotte Murder Update: DNA Sample Submitted for 'Person of Interest'

PRINCETON, MA—A DNA sample has reportedly been submitted by authorities as a possible person of interest in the murder of Vanessa Marcotte, WCVB-TV News is reporting.

The 27-year-old Marcotte, an employee at Google's New York City office, Boston University alumna and Leominster native, went missing during a jog while visiting her mother in Princeton on Aug. 7. A K-9 police dog found Marcotte's body about a half-mile from her mother's home Sunday night, and investigators say she was last seen on Brooks Station Road that afternoon.

Video surveillance footage and witness accounts place a scratched and bruised man, along with a woman, at Wachusett Mountain in Princeton not long after the murder of Vanessa Marcotte occurred, the Daily Mail reported on Friday.

On Thursday afternoon, Worcester District Attorney Joe Early Jr. told reporters "we have made some progress in the case" during an update on the investigation of the murder of Marcotte. At the press conference Thursday, Early said investigators believe there was a struggle between Marcotte and her killer, whom they believe to be male, that may have resulted in the killer receiving injuries, including scratches, cuts, scrapes and bruises. They also pared down the time frame of the homicide to 1-3 p.m. on Sunday.

Sources have told 5 Investigates/WCVB that the person whose DNA was submitted is familiar with the area in which Marcotte's body was discovered on Sunday.

Authorities have received more than 450 tips after establishing a tip line earlier in the week. They are still asking for tips from anyone who may have information.