Rachel Morin suspect linked to LA assault on child as murdered hiker’s family speaks out - live updates

Rachel Morin’s boyfriend has spoken out after Maryland Police revealed footage of the man believed to have murdered the mother-of-five.

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that DNA found at the scene of Morin’s murder had been matched to 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.

The suspect, a Hispanic male aged 20-30, was caught on a home security camera leaving the LA home. “We believe this was a person that Rachel didn’t know, potentially a random act of violence,” Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Colonel William Davis said on Thursday.

Police are now asking for the public’s help in identifying him.

“Unfortunately that suspect has not been positively identified, but he did leave behind his DNA,” Colonel William Davis said at a press conference.

Morin’s boyfriend Richard Tobin took to social media following the briefing to say: “I hope they found this scum of the earth, justice for Rachel.”

The break in the investigation comes nearly two weeks after Morin, 37, was last seen heading to the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air at around 6pm on 5 August. Her body was found near the trail the next day.

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

Friday 18 August 2023 22:15 , Kelly Rissman

Recap: who was Rachel Morin?

Rachel Morin, 37 was one of five siblings. She was originally from Dover, New Hampshire, and was a long-term resident of Bel Air, Maryland. She was a mother to five children.

On social media, Rachel Morin posted touching photos with her children, selfies at the gym and spending time with friends.

“Rachel was so unabashedly herself: witty and genuine, brilliant, daring, and headstrong. Her spirit would light up the room and her smile was contagious,” Morin’s best friend Claudia Brown wrote in a Facebook post after her death. “Her faith was so strong,” she added.

Ms Brown wrote that Ms Morin had been divorced, and was a “fierce protector of her children and loved them with all of her heart”.

Ms Morin had worked as a model, and appeared on the cover of Owl Magazine, Harford Community College’s student publication, where her brother John Morin worked as a technical director.

Her new boyfriend, Richard Tobin, described her as the “sweetest , kindest , and a very special women” on Facebook. According to the social media platform, the couple became official on 1 August.

Friday 18 August 2023 21:30 , Kelly Rissman

The LA case that links the suspect to Rachel Morin’s death

According to the a Baltimore Banner reporter, the Los Angeles Police Department said the suspect was involved in a 26 March 26 break-in and assault of a young child in South Los Angeles; the assault was not of a sexual nature, but investigators don’t want to disclose “any more details about what occurred in the house at this time.”

Friday 18 August 2023 21:00 , Kelly Rissman

What locals are saying

A Harford County resident told WBAL-TV11:“It’s mind blowing. It’s so close to home. I lived in the city for a long time, so I’m used to watching my surroundings and whatnot. But up here, you’re walking the trail. That’s the last thing on your mind.”

Police previously told locals to stay vigilant in the wake of Morin’s death.

“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.”

Friday 18 August 2023 20:15 , Kelly Rissman

Locals have been posting tributes to the late mother-of-five

Rachel Morin’s best friend, Claudia Brown, has been documenting the tributes to the 37-year-old, which have been posted along the Ma and Pa trail.

Friday 18 August 2023 19:45 , Kelly Rissman

What police have said regarding the Rachel Morin case

After relatively few updates in the case, on 16 August, Harford County investigators had a break in the case. Police said they found DNA at the crime scene, which corresponds with a sample taken from a March crime scene in Los Angeles where a man invaded a home and assaulted a young girl.

However, police said they “don’t have a clue” where the suspect is currently.

The suspect remains unnamed, but has been described by police as a Hispanic male aged 20-30, 5ft 9in tall, weighing 160 pounds with a “muscular build.” They say it’s unlikely the suspect knew Morin, calling the killing a “potentially a random act of violence.”

They added that they believe he has “ties to the Los Angeles area and may have been involved in violent crimes in other states.” Police have released footage of the suspect, and are asking people to send in tips if they know anything that can identify the suspect.

Read more:

Rachel Morin was found dead on a popular Maryland hiking trail. Police announce first big break in the case

Friday 18 August 2023 18:56 , Kelly Rissman

Rebekah Morin reposted slowed footage of suspect on Facebook

Watch the original footage provided by police, who said there was a DNA match between genetic material found at Morin’s crime scene and a suspect involved in a home break-in and assault of a child in LA in March.

Friday 18 August 2023 18:12 , Kelly Rissman

Rachel Morin’s family echoes police, saying they think her death was caused by “ a random act of violence”

A lawyer for her family spoke to a WJZ reporter about their thoughts following the break in the case on Thursday evening.

Friday 18 August 2023 17:51 , Kelly Rissman

GoFundMe surpasses $48,000

The GoFundMe for Rachel Morin, started by her sister Rebekah Morin, has surpassed $48,000, with a goal of $65,000.

Donations are flowing in by the hour—from people who say they want to give money to help support her surviving five children as well as from others who say they have been following the tragedy from afar.

“This was not an accidentally death, and she did not go willingly and she deserves a funeral worthy of her her beauty.If there are any remaining funds they will go towards things her 5 children may need. Please share, donate, comment and keep this going,” her sister wrote in the page’s description.

Friday 18 August 2023 16:45 , Kelly Rissman

“Trail of Light & Flowers”

Family of Rachel Morin are planning a walk in memory of the mother-of-five.

Writing on Facebook, the family wrote “We are hoping to have a ‘Trail of Flowers and Light’ to line both sides of the trail for our walk on the Ma & Pa Trail,” asking people to bring flowers and battery powered candles “to lay on either side of the trail somewhere as we walk Rachel’s last steps.”

The family asked the public to assemble 19 August at 11 am at the William Street entrance; the walk will begin at 11.30am.

Friday 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.

Friday 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.”

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

Friday 18 August 2023 13:00 , Josh Marcus

“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.”

Maryland police have DNA matching Rachel Morin murder suspect and video images

GoFundMe now topped $47,000

Friday 18 August 2023 12:20 , Rachel Sharp

A GoFundMe launched to help with funeral expenses for Rachel Morin has now topped $47,000.

It reads: “It is with devastating sadness and a broken heart that our family has been hit with yet another heartbreak. My sister, Rachel Morin went missing on Saturday August 5 2023 around 6pm. In less then 24 hours her body was found by local law enforcement. I have made a gofundme to help my mother, Patty Morin with funeral costs. There was no life insurance in place,” the fundraising page reads.

“This was not an accidentally death, and she did not go willingly and she deserves a funeral worthy of her her beauty.If there are any remaining funds they will go towards things her 5 children may need. Please share, donate, comment and keep this going.

“Once we have made the arrangements I will update with service dates and times. If you wish to donate directly please message me on Facebook.”

PICTURED: Harford County Sheriff’s Office releases poster in search for Rachel Morin’s suspected killer

Friday 18 August 2023 12:00 , Rachel Sharp

Police have ‘no clue’ where suspect is, despite finding DNA match

Friday 18 August 2023 11:40 , Josh Marcus

Maryland police say they “don’t have a clue” where the suspect in the Rachel Morin killing is, despite finding a sample of his DNA at the crime scene.

Officials say the sample matches one taken from a March home invasion and assault of a young girl in Los Angeles.

Maryland police have DNA matching Rachel Morin murder suspect and video images

WATCH: Video of suspect wanted for Rachel Morin’s murder

Friday 18 August 2023 11:20 , Rachel Sharp

Rachel Morin’s family expresses hope that video of suspect will lead to arrest

Friday 18 August 2023 11:00 , Rachel Sharp

Rachel Morin’s family has released a statement expressing their hope that the release of the video of her suspected killer will finally lead to an arrest.

“The family is encouraged that there is evidence that may lead to the prosecution of the person who took Rachel’s life,” Joe Murtha, an attorney representing Morin’s family, told The US Sun.

“They believe that the ability to provide this information to a national audience can help reach someone who knows the person who committed the crime.

“As they grieve the loss of Rachel they have hope that law enforcement will catch the perpetrator and bring justice for Rachel.”

WATCH: Maryland police announce major break in Rachel Morin case

Friday 18 August 2023 10:40 , Rachel Sharp

Rachel Morin’s boyfriend speaks out as police announce break in case

Friday 18 August 2023 10:24 , Rachel Sharp

Morin’s boyfriend Richard Tobin has spoken out after police announced the break in the case.

Tobin, 27, took to social media to say: “I hope they found this scum of the earth.”

He said in another post: “Justice for Rachel. Rip, love you Rach.”

Tobin was previously forced to deny any involvement in her killing after he came under intense speculation early in the case.

Maryland police working with FBI to find Rachel Morin’s killer

Friday 18 August 2023 10:00 , Josh Marcus

Maryland police are working with FBI DNA specialists to help find a suspect whose genetic material was found at the scene of Rachel Morin’s death.

Police say the DNA corresponds with a sample taken from a March crime scene in Los Angeles where a man assaulted a young girl.

Maryland police have DNA matching Rachel Morin murder suspect and video images

ICYMI: Maryland police have DNA matching Rachel Morin murder suspect and video images but no identity

Friday 18 August 2023 09:00 , Josh Marcus

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday they have used DNA evidence to identify a potential suspect in the murder of Maryland woman Rachel Morin earlier this month.

Colonel William Davis said DNA found at the scene of Morin’s death was analysed by state police, turning up a match with DNA found at the scene of a March home invasion in Los Angeles where a young girl was attacked.

More details in our full story.

Maryland police have DNA matching Rachel Morin murder suspect and video images

Rachel Morin’s mother breaks silence on daughter’s killing

Friday 18 August 2023 07:59 , Josh Marcus

The mother of Rachel Morin has broken her silence with a plea for compassion as the family takes time to grieve the “sudden and tragic” loss of the 37-year-old whose body was found after she vanished while going for a jog on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air.

“We are grieving. We need the time and space to grieve as a family. We have not forgotten our community,” the post read.

“We just need time. . . I need time. It has only been 4 days since we received the horrific news. I ask that as mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters, that you would please have compassion on us and allow us this.”

Morin was last seen heading to the Ma & Pa Trail at around 6pm Saturday. Her boyfriend Richard Tobin reported her missing that night after she failed to return home. Morin’s body was found the following day, and her death is being investigated as a homicide.

Andrea Cavallier reports.

Rachel Morin’s mother breaks silence on daughter’s killing

Friday 18 August 2023 21:33 , Kelly Rissman

The timeline

5 August: The last time Rachel Morin was seen, leaving for a hike along the Ma and Pa trail in Maryland.

6 August: A member of the public called 911 to report finding a woman’s body near the trail. Law enforcement officials in the state then issued an urgent plea for information about Ms Morin’s whereabouts. Her sister, Rebekah Morin, organized a GoFundMe page.

7 August: Rebekah wrote that she “raised the goal as we would like to do a large celebration of life for Rachel. We had no idea the amount of people she touched, even in just her everyday life. We want all those who loved her to grieve with us and celebrate her life.”

10 August: Her mother wrote a letter, shared on Facebook, expressing her grief.

17 August: Investigators announce a break in the case: the DNA found at the scene of Morin’s murder corresponded to the DNA left at a home where a man broke into a home in Los Angeles and violently attacked a young girl back in March. They also released footage of the suspect.

Man who described grisly state of Rachel Morin’s body never actually saw it, sheriff says

Friday 18 August 2023 07:00 , Josh Marcus

The Maryland man who claimed he saw the body of 37-year-old Rachel Morin was not even “within eyesight of the crime scene” when she was found, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office told The Independent.

Michael Gabriszeski, 49, claimed to multiple news outlets that he and his stepdaughter came across Morin’s body on Sunday when they joined the search for the missing mother-of-five, who had vanished on Saturday after going for a jog on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland.

Mr Gabriszeski said that his stepdaughter, who he said was a friend of Morin’s, was the first to discover the body in a tunnel near the trail before they alerted police. He gave his first public comments to WMAR.

Ariana Baio and Andrea Cavallier report.

Sheriff denies man’s claim that he saw Rachel Morin’s body

Maryland sheriff calls out ‘heinous coward’ who killed mother-of-five Rachel Morin

Friday 18 August 2023 06:00 , Josh Marcus

A sheriff in Maryland has vowed that the “heinous coward” who authorities believe killed mother-of-five Rachel Morin will be brought to justice - though investigators still have yet to identify a suspect.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler did not share many details in the Wednesday update over concern of “jeopardising the ongoing probe,” but said there was one thing he was sure of, and that “this was an intentional taking of a person’s life.”

Morin, 37, was last seen heading to the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air at around 6pm on 5 August, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

After she failed to return home that night, her boyfriend Richard Tobin reported her missing.

Andrea Cavallier reports.

Sheriff calls out ‘heinous coward’ who killed Rachel Morin

Friday 18 August 2023 17:00 , Kelly Rissman

Rachel Morin’s family echoed police, saying they believe her death was ‘a random act of violence’

Lawyers for Morin’s family talked to a WJZ reporter about what they believe happened to the mother-of-five.

Read one of Rachel Morin’s chilling final Facebook posts

Friday 18 August 2023 05:00 , Josh Marcus

Rachel Morin shared a post on Facebook that hinted at her possible affinity for thrill months before she was found dead along a forest trail in Maryland.

The mother-of-five was last seen around 6pm on Saturday when she allegedly went out for a run on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air. The 37-year-old failed to return home that night and her boyfriend reported her missing, according to Harford County sheriff Jeffrey Gahler.

Morin’s vehicle was found in the parking lot at the entrance to the popular walking route on Sunday morning and hours later, at around 1pm, a member of the public discovered a woman’s body close to the trail.

Morin shared a post in February that read: “Risk can be dangerous, but routine can be deadly. Comfort has killed more dreams than daring ever did.”

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar reports.

Rachel Morin’s Facebook post before she was found dead on Maryland hiking trail

Rachel Morin’s boyfriend denies role in death

Friday 18 August 2023 04:00 , Josh Marcus

The boyfriend of a Maryland mother-of-five has denied involvement in her death, after police launched a homicide probe into the death of a woman whose body was found on a popular hiking trail.

Rachel Morin, 37, disappeared after reportedly heading out for a hike on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Hartford County, at around 6pm on Saturday.

Her new boyfriend Richard Tobin, 27, reported her missing at around 11pm that night after she failed to return, Hartford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler told a press conference on Sunday.

Authorities launched a missing person investigation and Ms Morin’s car was found at the Williams St entrance to the trail on Sunday morning.

Bevan Hurley reports.

Rachel Morin’s boyfriend denies involvement as homicide probe launched

Rachel Morin ‘did not go willingly'

Friday 18 August 2023 03:00 , Josh Marcus

Morin’s grieving sister Rebekah wrote on a GoFundMe page that her death was not accidental, and she “did not go willingly”.

Morin was reported missing by her boyfriend Richard Tobin earlier this month.

He later expressed his innocence of any part in her death.

“I love Rachel, I would never do anything to her, let the family and I grieve,” Mr Tobin wrote.

“Yes I have a past but I also have 15 months clean and have changed as a person. Please.”

Bevan Hurley reports.

Maryland police confirm body found on trail is missing mom-of-five Rachel Morin

‘If you see something that feels suspicious, take out your phone and call 911’

Friday 18 August 2023 02:00 , Josh Marcus

Rachel Morin was last seen alive leaving her home to head to the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Harford County, at around 6pm on Saturday evening, 5 August, according to the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

When the 37-year-old failed to return home that night, her boyfriend called police to report her missing.

On Sunday morning, Morin’s vehicle was found at the parking lot close to the entrance of the trail on Williams Street but there was no sign of the missing mother-of-five.

More details can be found in Rachel Sharp’s coverage of the story.

Body found in search for Maryland woman Rachel Morin who vanished on hiking trail

Maryland police find DNA and video in Rachel Morin case but still haven’t named suspect

Friday 18 August 2023 01:11 , Josh Marcus

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday they have used DNA evidence to identify a potential suspect in the murder of Maryland woman Rachel Morin earlier this month.

Colonel William Davis said DNA found at the scene of Morin’s death was analysed by state police, turning up a match with DNA found at the scene of a March home invasion in Los Angeles where a young girl was attacked.

“Unfortunately that suspect has not been positively identified, but he did leave behind his DNA,” Colonel Davis said. “Based on the DNA evidence, we consider the individual in the video we received from the Los Angeles Police Department to be the person that murdered Rachel Morin on August 5.”

The individual, a shirtless man thought to be in his 20s, was recorded leaving the LA crime scene on a home security camera.

The deputy added that despite the match, police still “don’t have a clue where he could be.”

“In March he was in California, and here in August he was in Maryland,” the officer said.

Read our full story for more details.

Police have DNA matching Rachel Morin’s potential killer, but still haven’t identified him

Friday 18 August 2023 00:49 , Josh Marcus

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday they have used DNA evidence to identify a potential suspect in the murder of Maryland woman Rachel Morin earlier this month.

Colonel William Davis said DNA found at the scene of Morin’s death was analysed by state police, turning up a match with DNA found at the scene of a March home invasion in Los Angeles where a young girl was attacked.

“Unfortunately that suspect has not been positively identified, but he did leave behind his DNA,” Colonel Davis said. “Based on the DNA evidence, we consider the individual in the video we received from the Los Angeles Police Department to be the person that murdered Rachel Morin on August 5.”

Harford County Sheriff’s Office provides updates on Rachel Morin case

Friday 18 August 2023 00:30 , Andrea Blanco

A press conference will begin shortly.

The law enforcement agency said that information about a potential suspect will be released.

A man claimed he saw Rachel Morin’s body, but police says he is lying

Friday 18 August 2023 00:10 , Andrea Blanco

Michael Gabriszeski, the Maryland man who claimed he saw the body of 37-year-old Rachel Morin was not even “within eyesight of the crime scene” when she was found, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office told The Independent.

Mr Gabriszeski, 49, claimed to multiple news outlets that he and his stepdaughter came across Morin’s body on Sunday when they joined the search for the missing mother-of-five, who had vanished after going for a jog on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland.

Mr Gabriszeski said that his stepdaughter, who he said was a friend of Morin’s, was the first to discover the body in a tunnel near the trail before they alerted police.

But a spokesperson for the Harford County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to The Independent that Mr Gabriszeski “did not find Rachel’s body” and that he did not “view her body.”

Developments in Rachel Morin’s case

Thursday 17 August 2023 23:50 , Andrea Blanco

Saturday, 5 August

6pm – Rachel Morin is last seen heading out to run on the Ma & Pa Trail in northern Maryland.

11.23pm – The boyfriend of Rachel reports her missing after she does not return home.

Police begin searching for Rachel on the trail and surrounding areas.

Sunday, 6 August

1pm – Body of female victim located off of the Ma & Pa Trail is reported to police.

Monday, 7 August

Police confirm the body found on the rail is Rachel Morin.

Friday, 11 August

Investigators identified a group of potential witnesses who may have seen Morin on the trail before she was killed. The witnesses – either three men, two women and two dogs or two men, three women and two dogs – have been contacted by law enforcement.

Thursday, 17 August

Press conference announced.

Who was slain mother-of-five Rachel Morin?

Thursday 17 August 2023 23:30 , Andrea Blanco

Ms Morin was originally from Dover, New Hampshire, and was a long-term resident of Bel Air. She was one of five siblings.

Her sister Rebekah, herself a mother of seven children, revealed on a GoFundMe page that the family had been grieving the death of their niece Lily Beth to sudden infant death syndrome just a week earlier.

On social media, Rachel Morin posted touching photos with her children, selfies at the gym and spending time with friends.

“Rachel was so unabashedly herself: witty and genuine, brilliant, daring, and headstrong. Her spirit would light up the room and her smile was contagious,” her best friend Claudia Brown wrote in a Facebook post after her death.

“Her faith was so strong,”

Ms Brown wrote that Ms Morin had been divorced, and was a “fierce protector of her children and loved them with all of her heart”.

Ms Morin had worked as a model, and appeared on the cover of Owl Magazine, Harford Community College’s student publication, where her brother John Morin worked as a technical director.

In 2018, she shared photographs from a trip to New Zealand to visit John, who was working as a photographer in the town of Whakatane.

GoFundMe started by Rachel Morin’s family tops $46,000

Thursday 17 August 2023 23:10 , Andrea Blanco

A GoFundMe launched to help with funeral expenses for Rachel Morin has now topped $46,000.

“It is with devastating sadness and a broken heart that our family has been hit with yet another heartbreak. My sister, Rachel Morin went missing on Saturday August 5 2023 around 6pm. In less then 24 hours her body was found by local law enforcement. I have made a gofundme to help my mother, Patty Morin with funeral costs. There was no life insurance in place,” the GoFundMe read.

“This was not an accidentally death, and she did not go willingly and she deserves a funeral worthy of her her beauty. If there are any remaining funds they will go towards things her 5 children may need. Please share, donate, comment and keep this going.

“Once we have made the arrangements I will update with service dates and times. If you wish to donate directly please message me on Facebook.”

As of Thursday, it had reached $46, 902.

ICYMI: Mother-of-five found killed on popular trail

Thursday 17 August 2023 22:50 , Andrea Blanco

Rachel Morin, 37, disappeared after reportedly heading out for a hike on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Hartford County, at around 6pm on 5 August.

Her boyfriend Richard Tobin, 27, reported her missing at around 11pm that night after she failed to return, Hartford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler told a press conference on Sunday.

Authorities launched a missing person investigation and Ms Morin’s car was found at the Williams St entrance to the trail on 6 August.

A member of the public found a woman’s body near the trail at 1.07pm, and authorities launched a homicide investigation as they await formal confirmation of the deceased’s identity and cause of death from the medical examiner’s office.

Local police holds press conference to discuss updates

Thursday 17 August 2023 22:30 , Andrea Blanco

Updates in the Rachel Morin case are expected to be delivered at 7.30pm.

When contacted by The Independent, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said that information about a potential suspect would be discussed.