Person of interest being questioned in murder of Drexel grad

WEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Action News has learned that police are questioning a person of interest in connection to the murder of a recent Drexel University graduate in West Philadelphia.

Police sources say they are making good progress, but have not yet made any arrests.

27-year-old Jasmine Wright graduated just four weeks ago from Drexel with a Masters in Environmental and Occupational health. She had a bright future mapped out.

But all that came to an end with the discovery of her body Thursday afternoon in the rear bedroom of her third floor apartment in the 200 block of South 50th Street.

The medical examiner has ruled that she was strangled.

"She was beaten very badly. Ultimately she was strangled. That is the cause of death, strangulation, so it would appear it was sort of personal, but we don't know yet," said Captain James Clarke, Philadelphia Police.

Police say she was fully clothed and there were no signs of sexual assault and it appears to have been an act of rage.

There were no signs of forced entry so they believe she let the killer into her apartment.

Investigators believe Wright had been dead for about 24 hours before she was found by the property manager.

Her father, who lives in the Bronx, asked the manager to check on her because he hadn't heard from her.

Wright attended high school in Richmond, Virginia and did her undergraduate work at Penn State before earning her Masters from Drexel.

Her classmates and friends have been pouring out their grief on social media.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or text a tip to PPD TIP (7738847).

You can also submit an anonymous tip online at PhillyPolice.com. All tips will be confidential.