Suspected Killer of Queens Jogger Held Without Bail, Charged With Murder

QUEENS, NY — The man who authorities say confessed to beating and strangling a Queens jogger in August was being held without bail Monday, according to multiple reports, after he was arrested and charged with murder.

Chanel Lewis, 20, was arraigned Sunday night in Queens Criminal Court, where he did not enter into a plea, according to reports.

Lewis was linked to the killing through DNA testing and incriminating statements, officials said. He was charged with second-degree murder after a six-month manhunt by NYC authorities following Karina Vetrano's death.

If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison, according to Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown.

Vetrano was found dead on August 2, 2016, in a marshy area about 15 feet off of a trail in Spring Creek Park. Her father, a former firefighter, found her body and set off the massive manhunt for her killer.

The killing appeared to be "a chance encounter," NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce told reporters. Lewis, who lives in East New York, Brooklyn, did not previously know Vetrano.

Lewis admitted to killing the girl, authorities say.

“This defendant admitted to attacking the victim, admitted to beating her, to strangling her and dragging her body in the weeds,” Queens assistant district attorney Michael Curtis told reporters.

At his arraignment Sunday night, Vetrano's mother reportedly called him a "demon."

“A savage murderer! He f---ing murdered my daughter, my beautiful innocent daughter! Now your nightmare begins!” Cathie Vetrano yelled. “He’s a demon! He should be in hell and burn in hell!”

A reward fund, set up through GoFundMe by the Howard Beach community, had raised more than $250,000 and was still receiving money Monday.

This story will be updated.