Suspect Admits Killing Queens Jogger 'To Let My Emotions Out,' Report Says

QUEENS — The man accused of killing jogger Karina Vetrano told investigators he murdered her to "let my emotions out," prosecutors said.

Chanel Lewis, 20, had gone to Spring Creek Park seeking respite from noisy neighbors at his East New York apartment, he told police. That's when Vetrano ran towards him.

"I was just mad at that time," he said, according to statements made to investigators that were read out in court Tuesday, DNAinfo reported.

"I beat her to let my emotions out. I never really meant to hurt her, it just happened. I got madder and madder, and I strangled her.

"She was running towards me and I just lost it. She didn't do anything."

Chanel was arraigned Tuesday on a 13-count indictment for Vetrano's killing, including murder and sexual assault charges, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

Howard Beach resident Vetrano, 30, was jogging alone in the park on August 2, 2016, when she was sexually assaulted and strangled by Lewis, Brown said. Her body was discovered later the same day by her father and police officers in a "marshy area" near a jogging path.

Lewis was identified as the murder suspect after his DNA was found under Vetrano's fingernails, according to the NYPD.

He has been in Rikers since his arrest in February. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.

According to police, Lewis grabbed Vetrano by the shoulders and punched her in the face so many times that her teeth broke. During the struggle, Vetrano scratched him the face.

He then dragged her body off the trail, according to Brown.

Lewis told police that he was sorry for what he did and that he wanted to apologize to Vetrano's parents.

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