August 7, 2016, 27-year-old Vanessa Marcotte went for a jog in Princeton, Mass. and never returned home. Marcotte was a Google Account Manager from New York City who was visiting her mother. Neighbors say she always went for a jog before returning to New York, but this would be her last time.

At around 8:30 pm that night, Marcotte’s body was found in the woods. She was found naked and parts of her body was burned. Investigators are still trying to figure out what happened to her but they believe she was sexually assaulted.

In the same week, the body of Karina Vetrano was found in Queens. She was also jogging when she was murdered. She was found battered with her teeth knocked out and the handprint of her attacker around her neck. There has also been no arrests in this case, there is no suspect.

Hopefully these two women get the justice they deserve but this is terrible. We shouldn’t live in a world where people can’t go on a simple jog without being attacked. Women especially, should not have to exercise with mace or a knife or a gun attached to their hip. The sales of booby-trap bras and bras that have secret compartments to store knives have risen 80 percent. No one should have to take a self-defense class just to be outside alone.

And don’t think that just because you live in a relatively small or quiet place that it’s safe. Marcotte’s case was Princeton’s first murder in 30 years. There are groups of women who usually jog at any time who are saying they’re afraid to go alone now. That should never be the case, but it is.

One day I want all of this to change and everywhere can have a successful neighborhood watch program (please, just don’t hire anyone who thinks they are an actual cop i.e. George Zimmerman). Hopefully these families can gain peace by finding the people responsible for these murders.

The tip line for Vanessa Marcotte is (508) 453-7589.