Karina Vetrano killing suspect indicted for murder and sexual assault of young jogger

Chanel Lewis had previously confessed to killing the young jogger but denied sexually assaulting her

The suspect in the brutal murder of Karina Vetrano in New York City last August has been indicted on multiple charges of murder and sexual assault.

According to ABC News, a grand jury indicted Chanel Lewis on 13 counts in connection to the young jogger’s vicious sexual assault and murder.

Vetrano had gone for a run near her Howard Beach home during the early evening on August 2, 2016. When she didn’t return home as expected, her father called the police who joined him in searching for her. Vetrano’s body was found hours later, strangled to death in a marshy area near her regular jogging path.

Lewis, 20, who lived with his mother in Brooklyn at the time of the murder, was arrested in February for Vetrano’s killing. He reportedly admitted to killing the young woman in a fit of rage, as he was upset about something unrelated to the victim that had happened earlier that day. In a videotaped confession, Lewis allegedly told investigators that he saw Vetrano and just “lost it.” The suspect reportedly provided details of hitting and choking her, but denied sexually assaulting the victim.

According to ABC News, prosecutors have since determined that Lewis did in fact sexually assault Vetrano. It is not known if Lewis confessed to the sexual assault, or if prosecutors made this determination based on DNA or other material evidence. Prosecutors had previously said that the suspect’s DNA was found on the victim.

If convicted, Lewis faces life in prison without parole.

 

Photo: Police handout