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Woman found killed in woods; residents urged to be cautious

This undated driver license photo released by the Worcester County District Attorney's Office shows Vanessa Marcotte, of New York, whose body was found Sunday night, Aug. 7, 2016, in the woods about a half-mile from her mother's home in the town of Princeton, Mass., about 40 miles west of Boston. (Worcester County District Attorney's Office via AP)
This undated driver license photo released by the Worcester County District Attorney's Office shows Vanessa Marcotte, of New York, whose body was found Sunday night, Aug. 7, 2016, in the woods about a half-mile from her mother's home in the town of Princeton, Mass., about 40 miles west of Boston. (Worcester County District Attorney's Office via AP) This undated driver license photo released by the Worcester County District Attorney's Office shows Vanessa Marcotte, of New York, whose body was found Sunday night, Aug. 7, 2016, in the woods about a half-mile from her mother's home in the town of Princeton, Mass., about 40 miles west of Boston. (Worcester County District Attorney's Office via AP)

By Associated Press 2 min read

PRINCETON, Mass. (AP) – Residents of a small Massachusetts town are being urged to take caution after a woman visiting her mother was found slain in the woods after going out for a weekend walk or jog.

Police found the body of Vanessa Marcotte on Sunday night about a half-mile from her mother’s home in the town of Princeton, Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said. She was visiting from New York City, where she worked at Google. She was reported missing Sunday after she didn’t return home.

The 27-year-old’s death appears to be a homicide, and an autopsy was set to determine the exact cause, Early said.

“We have a horrible set of facts; a horrible set of circumstances right now,” he said.

Police say they don’t know if the attack was random. At a Monday news conference, authorities repeatedly urged the public to use caution and report any suspicious activity.