PRINCETON — Authorities said Tuesday that they have received hundreds of tips from an anonymous hot line set up in hopes of solving the killing of Vanessa Marcotte, a 27-year-old Boston University graduate whose body was found in the woods Sunday after she went for an afternoon run.

John Marcotte pleaded for help in finding his daughter’s killer. “I could only ask for your prayers, that they find [who] did this,’’ he said. “That’s all we want. That’s all we want: justice.’’

Meanwhile, law enforcement officials said they still do not know whether Vanessa Marcotte, a Leominster native who worked as an accounts manager at Google, was the victim of a random attack or was targeted for some as-yet-unknown reason.

The mysterious daytime slaying, along with police warnings to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity, have unnerved residents of Princeton, a quiet town of 3,400.

Marcotte was reported missing Sunday afternoon after she didn’t return from a run. Her body was found some seven hours later in the woods off Brooks Station Road, about a half-mile from her mother’s home.

At a Tuesday afternoon news conference, Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said investigators are “still approaching this from every angle.’’

“We’re considering anyone and everyone who could have committed this crime,’’ he said.

A law enforcement official briefed on the case said it appeared that Marcotte’s body had been burned, and authorities are investigating whether she was sexually assaulted.

Early said investigators have not ruled out any connection to the case of a woman who was indecently assaulted while jogging in Northborough last month or to the murder of Karina Vetrano, who was killed while jogging in Queens, N.Y., last week.

John Marcotte said he last saw his daughter Saturday night, when they had dinner together at a steakhouse in Worcester.

“After that, the next day, she was dead,’’ he said in an interview outside his home, tearing up and exhausted after spending eight hours at the police station.

Marcotte said his daughter was highly dedicated to her job at Google, where she had worked since January 2015.

“She was 100 percent on to her job,’’ he said. “Her whole thing was to just get up the [career] ladder. She knew how smart she was.’’

She was not involved with anyone romantically, he said, and he did not know anyone who would have harmed her.

“I want my daughter remembered as a great kid,’’ he said. “She’s the best kid in the world.’’

Marcotte praised the police for their hard work and said he had been touched by the outpouring of support “from Google, from everywhere.’’

Vanessa Marcotte had been staying with her mother for a few days, authorities said. She often visited the area and was planning to return to New York on Sunday, Early said.

Early said investigators are asking anyone in the area Sunday who may have seen anything unusual to call the hot line, 508-453-7589.

“Any information may be relevant,’’ he said. “We’re still early in the investigation.’’

About 200 people gathered for a candlelight vigil for Marcotte Tuesday night at the First Congregational Church of Princeton.

Several mourners were still clutching candles when they left the church after the vigil concluded, while others wiped away tears.

“Tonight definitely showed how everyone is here for each other,’’ Amanda Jonaitis,25, said after the vigil.

Earlier in the day in town, where many enjoy biking, hiking, and jogging along the quiet country roads, many anxious residents reconsidered their daily routines.

“People are traumatized,’’ said Diane Featherstone, 73. “Not just because it happened here — but because it happened.’’

Elizabeth Hart, 15, said on a normal day she would have walked from her home to Mountainside Market, a local bakery and cafe. But on Tuesday, she asked friends to give her a ride.

“Things like this don’t happen here,’’ she said. “We’ll probably get over it eventually . . . but for now, we’ll be vigilant.’’

Brooks Station Road, where Marcotte was running, is surrounded by trees with just a few houses set back in the woods, accessible by long driveways. The shrubbery along the road is dense, and only the occasional car passes by.

On Tuesday, a flower delivery truck pulled into the home of Marcotte’s family.

Elizabeth Leroux, a neighbor, said that she can only imagine the pain the family is experiencing.

“I can’t bring myself to face them,’’ she said. “In a few days I’ll bring over some mashed potatoes or chicken, just some home cooking.’’

“We’re all horrified,’’ said Ed Roy, 81, a neighbor on Brooks Station Road.

Travis Andersen of the Globe staff contributed to this report.