Philadelphia Woman's Park Strangling Stuns Police, Friends

-- Philadelphia police are scouring surveillance footage, looking for the person who they say strangled a woman out jogging in a park.

Connie McClain-Murray, 46, was found strangled in Pennypack Park Tuesday. The park, located in the northeast part of the city, is frequented by families and young children. An autopsy confirmed no signs of sexual assault or trauma, Police Captain James Clark said.

“There was some minor bruising on her, but not even enough to say that it was blunt-force trauma,” Clark said.

McClain-Murray’s family filed a police report Tuesday morning, when Murray went out on her usual Monday night run but didn’t return. A neighbor walking her dog says she found the woman’s body in bushes near the park’s recreation center.

The medical examiner’s report is expected today.

Homicide detectives say they have not been able to locate McClain-Murray’s cellphone or headphones, both of which she had with her when she left for her jog.

The area has been rocked in recent years by a string of sexual assaults, but police haven’t drawn a connection with McClain-Murray’s death.Police are questioning anyone who frequents the area. The investigation is still ongoing, but police don’t have any suspects or possible motives.

“If anyone saw her jogging or knows anything or heard anything, they should give us a call,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said.

The victim is being remembered as a caring friend with warm spirit.

“Truly saddened by the loss of Connie McClain-Murray,” a friend wrote on Facebook. “Always outgoing, life of the party and always made me laugh!”