Photo Courtesy of Instagram
Phil Vetrano said his slain daughter, Karina, has been on his mind “every minute” of the past year.
By Michael V. Cusenza
The Vetrano family recently thanked those who attended last Wednesday’s memorial walk through Howard Beach marking the one-year anniversary of Karina’s murder, and characterized their beloved daughter as a “phenomenon” who, even in death, has notched plenty of accomplishments.
“Thanks to all of you that came out last night. It was a wonderful tribute to my baby girl and a testament to how magical she was and still is,” dad Phil wrote on Thursday on the Karina Vetrano Memorial Reward Fund page on GoFundMe.com. “I wouldn’t be able to get through this nightmare if it weren’t for Karina’s friends who are now my family. Natasha and the remaining Cuban 6 are daughters. Thank you all.”
And in a post published on the site on Sunday, Phil wrote, “Hello world. It has recently occurred to me that Karina has become a phenomenon. I realized this at the memorial walk on the anniversary of her murder. There were 500 people there, all walking for and remembering Karina. It’s incomprehensible that Karina has been front-page news for an entire year but she has. She’s been on my mind every minute of that year so it’s normal for me but for TV, radio, newsprint, all to still be crazy for Karina story’s , that’s extraordinary.
I think I can explain why… Since she has passed she has accomplished more than most do when they are alive. Namely the passing of familial DNA searching. No one could get this passed in NY state. No one. But Karina did it in 5 months. This testing is the greatest tool NY State law enforcement has ever received and Karina gave it to them. She has started a scholarship at Archbishop Molloy HS. She has been in Runner’s World magazine in an article about female joggers and how to be safe while running. She has donated to many great causes and that is because of all of you.
And she is not done not even close. She will continue to make news and do amazing things this I guarantee.
Look for a printed version of her writing in the future, this she wanted.
Yes Karina is a phenomenon.”
