Could you say the previous killings happened in a different town but the same county? That way its more plausible that Victoria would go jogging alone. Also, if you add that her cat came from a rescue centre that indicates that she's kind and so gives us a reason to root for her. It makes her a little more active.

I wrote a story on a similar theme and put it on this site. Its on page 9 now. Perhaps reading someone else's take on it would help.