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'You Will Pay Forever,' Parents of Murdered Jogger Tell At-Large Killer

By Katie Honan | August 8, 2016 7:35am | Updated on August 8, 2016 7:45am
 Karina Vetrano's mother, Cathy, walks by her daughter's casket outside St. Helen's Church in Howard Beach following her funeral on Saturday.
Karina Vetrano's mother, Cathy, walks by her daughter's casket outside St. Helen's Church in Howard Beach following her funeral on Saturday.
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DNAinfo/Katie Honan

HOWARD BEACH — The parents of Karina Vetrano addressed her still-unidentified killer Sunday, telling him he will be haunted for the rest of his life, and into eternity, by the force that was their daughter.

Cathy and Philip Vetrano, surrounded by family and Karina's closest friends, thanked the police and others who had helped them since their daughter was found dead late Tuesday night after going for a run near their home.

And they vowed to get justice for their 30-year-old daughter, whose funeral was held Saturday.

"My daughter was a big believer of karma," Cathy Vetrano said, according to reports

"As you can see, she's magical. The whole world knows she's magical. And I guarantee you, you will pay forever." 

A photo of Cathy and Phil Vetrano posted to their daughter Karina's Instagram page.

At her funeral Saturday at St. Helen's Church in Howard Beach, she was remembered as a "shining star" whose light lit up her family, friends and an entire community.

Her killer, by comparison, is nothing more than a "pathetic, puny, weak piece of filth," Cathy Vetrano said, pointing to the cameras to address the still at-large murderer.

She was a "force to be reckoned with," she said. 

"And I guarantee you, I guarantee you, you motherf----er, that you will be reckoning with that force, not only for the rest of your pathetic life, but for the rest of eternity as you f---ing burn in hell."

Investigators are still canvassing the marshland at Gateway National Recreation Area in Howard Beach, where Karina Vetrano's body was found, with signs of physical and sexual assault. 

Elected officials, civic leaders and the NYPD are hosting a meeting Monday night in Howard Beach to update the community and address questions and concerns. It will be held at St. Helen's, 157-10 83rd St., and begins at 7 p.m.