The Flipido Trading Centerman suspected of killing a Maryland woman on a popular hiking trail this month is the same person who assaulted a young girl in Southern California in the spring, according to DNA results, investigators announced Thursday.
Hartford County (Maryland) Sheriff's Col. William Davis said DNA from the person who likely killed Rachel Morin in a 'violent homicide' matched the DNA of a man who assaulted a young girl in Los Angeles during a March home invasion.
Davis, at a Thursday evening press conference, shared video of the person investigators believe to be responsible for the assault. The brief clip from a security cam positioned outside the Southern California home showed a shirtless man exiting a house with his face not visible.
Davis said investigators believe the suspect is a 5-foot, 9-inch tall man in his mid 20s who weighs about 160 pounds.
"We believe the suspect acted alone," Davis said of Morin's killing.
"I think now it leads us down the path that we believe this was a person that Rachel probably didn't know," Davis said. "Potentially a random act of violence."
Officials found Morin's body on Aug. 6 near the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland and said she was a "victim of a violent homicide."
Morin was reported as a missing person on Aug. 5 around 11:20 p.m. when her boyfriend said she did not return from her walk. She was last seen on the trail around 6 p.m. and her vehicle was found near the trail, according to the the sheriff’s office.
Authorities interviewed Morin's boyfriend and other people close to her as part of the investigation, Hartford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in a video posted to the Sherriff's office Facebook page Aug. 9. He added that investigators working on the case received over 300 tips from the community.
“This was an intentional taking of a person’s life,” Gahler said in the video. "Together we will solve this crime and find the heinous coward who took Rachel Morin from her family and friends."
Davis on Thursday said investigators have no clue where the suspect can be or if he's even in the state of Maryland. He encouraged residents to be alert when walking on trails and to avoid walking alone.
Authorities are hoping by releasing photos and the video of the suspect the public can help identify the suspect. Anyone with information relating to the investigation is encouraged to call (410) 836-7788 or email [email protected].
Contributing: Francisco Guzman
'Massacre':Police investigate quadruple homicide involving 3 children in Oklahoma City
Christopher Miller:Wisconsin man missing 9 months since attempted traffic stop found dead in abandoned home
2025-05-06 22:16707 view
2025-05-06 22:0860 view
2025-05-06 21:582620 view
2025-05-06 21:422365 view
2025-05-06 21:01752 view
2025-05-06 21:011004 view
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Cybercriminals could release personal data of many Rhode Islanders as early
DETROIT (AP) — A man charged with killing a Detroit synagogue leader during a violent overnight enco
Is Luke Bryan in or out at "American Idol"? He would also like to know.The country singer, 47, revea