Father of murdered NYC runner urges Suarez dad to make justice a life mission

Joseph Vetrano, a retired FDNY firefighter, is urging the father of Katie Suarez to treat the search for her killer as a lifelong pursuit. Suarez, 28, was stabbed in the neck while jogging on a Brooklyn waterfront promenade on Friday evening, leaving her brain-dead. Vetrano, 70, told The Post on Sunday that the father must make getting justice his life mission.

Vetrano drew a direct parallel between the two tragedies. In 2016, he searched for his 30-year-old daughter, Karina, after she failed to return from a run in Spring Creek Park on August 2. He found her body after she was sexually abused and strangled by a stranger. Vetrano noted that he and Suarez's father both went looking for their daughters when they did not appear at agreed-upon meet-up spots.

Law enforcement sources told The Post on Sunday that Suarez's attacker is believed to be a stranger. Preliminary findings indicate the victim was not robbed or sexually assaulted, though no motive has yet been established. Vetrano said he cannot believe the similarities between the two cases, describing the suspect as a "son of a bitch" who left Suarez in a critical condition.

Vetrano advised Suarez's father to leverage public outrage to fuel the investigation. He said he stopped his multimillion-dollar business to focus entirely on finding Karina's killer, blanketing the community with reward posters daily. He urged the new father to ensure the case goes viral, similar to how Karina's case gained national attention, so it does not get swept under the rug.

"You gotta get public outcry. You have to get people standing up, not forgetting about it," Vetrano said. He offered to speak with Suarez's father to provide support, stating that only he and the other father truly understand the experience of finding a child in such a state.

Vetrano recalled the last words he shared with his daughter before she went out to run alone. She told him, "Don't worry, Daddy, I'll be OK." He took solace in knowing Karina lived life to the fullest in her short 30 years, working as a tutor and speech pathologist while pursuing writing and acting.