Rachel Morin update: Family of slain Bel Air mother issue fresh plea for leads as profiler gets involved

DNA found at the scene of Morin’s murder matches the DNA left at a home where an unknown man broke into a home in Los Angeles and violently attacked a young girl back in March

Rachel Morin: Maryland police release CCTV of suspect

Rachel Morin’s family are pleading for information that leads to an arrest more than a month after her body was found on the Ma & Pa Trail after she failed to return home from an evening hike.

Authorities in Harford County, Maryland, continue to hunt for Morin’s killer amid fears that the suspect could strike again.

Police previously released footage from the scene of a home invasion and assault in Los Angeles, where DNA found matched DNA at the Morin crime scene.

But despite the developments, investigators have yet to make any arrests in the case.

Morin’s brother Michael Morin told NewsNation on Wednesday that his family was hopeful somebody would provide the key piece of information needed to bring the suspect to justice.

“We only need one lead. We need a last name, we already have DNA and video,” Mr Morin said.

Last week, Morin’s sister Rebekah Morin shared a behavioural profile built by a volunteer criminal profiler.

It suggested that the killer has psychopathic traits and may have travelled to Bel Air because he knew someone in the tight-knit community.

Key points

• Maryland police find DNA and video in Rachel Morin case but still haven’t named suspect
• Rachel Morin was found dead on a popular Maryland hiking trail. Her sister says she ‘did not go willingly’
• Man who described grisly state of Rachel Morin’s body never actually saw it, sheriff says
• Police warn killer could strike again if not caught

[18 August 2023 16:15 · Kelly Rissman]

What we know about the suspect

Investigators have described the suspect as someone who likely didn’t know Rachel Morin, calling the incident “potentially a random act of violence.”

Police described the suspect as a Hispanic male aged 20-30, 5ft 9in tall, weighing 160 pounds with a “muscular build.”

They added that they believe he has “ties to the Los Angeles area and may have been involved in violent crimes in other states.” His DNA has been linked to a March home invasion and assault of a young girl in Los Angeles.

[18 August 2023 15:19 · Kelly Rissman]

The LAPD said it is working with police in Maryland after DNA discovered

The Los Angeles Police Department said it is providing information to Harford County investigators after police in Maryland announced that they discovered DNA at the scene of the crime. The DNA matched that of a suspect identified in a home invasion and assault on a child in Los Angeles in March.

The LAPD said it aims to “bring the person responsible for such a brutal and senseless murder to justice.”

[18 August 2023 13:00 · Josh Marcus]

Police warn community to stay vigilant as Rachel Morin suspect’s DNA found

“In the light of this new evidence, I urge our citizens to use caution while walking on our trials and through our community,” police said on Thursday. “Be alert. Walk with a friend. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by your cell phone or headphones.”