Found Deceased MD - Rachel Morin, 37, left for walk on Ma & Pa Trail 6pm, car found at Williams St entrance, Bel Air, 5 Aug 2023

[Chimera]

Regarding camera footage ; it does sound like someone familiar with the park.
Still on the fence about a random attacker.
Hoping for a break soon !

 

[Chimera]

It was said to be an Apple Watch, so the data is hopefully on her Cloud account. To my knowledge, owning a Fitbit, it updates via Bluetooth, so less likely to have as helpful information at the time of the murder. Hers my be a better model if it was a Fitbit though.

There will still be good information about her routines though.

Would there be ' number of steps' recorded on it , like a Fitbit ?
Or was she already wearing a Fitbit ?
If this was discussed I missed it, sorry.
Omo.

 

[bestill]

Would there be ' number of steps' recorded on it , like a Fitbit ?
Or was she already wearing a Fitbit ?
If this was discussed I missed it, sorry.
Omo.

I mentioned this yesterday, I don't know that it's been reported if she were wearing a fitbit and/or apple watch or iPod. I'm sure her family knows how she usually runs and how she tracks her fitness goals.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

She was tiny, even though she was into fitness, that doesn’t necessarily mean she put up a fight or did any damage to the assailant.

I’ve considered the killer may have been young or a woman.

Teenage males or young 20 somethings are really into thrill or joy kills these days. I’ve too considered a young woman and I’ll tell you why. Both my granddaughters work out at a gym. Twice, those girls have come over giggling cause they overheard girls talking about how they’re gonna cut a b* cause their boyfriend was watching another girl’s legs during workouts but I think a woman in a relationship with another woman can be just as jealous. *I thought I’d better add real quick that the girls knew them.

 

[stormymama]

What if this time it is an older woman, who had a grudge against RM and thought, she would be the source of all problems. I think of someone, who knows Rachel well, knows, where she worked out, and is close to Rachel's children or some of her children. Speculation only, but from the start already.

I, too, am not ruling out a woman perp. I can't put my finger on it, so I have nothing to back it up. I just wouldn't be surprised if a woman did this to her.

 

[Megnut]

I, too, am not ruling out a woman perp. I can't put my finger on it, so I have nothing to back it up. I just wouldn't be surprised if a woman did this to her.

I don't think the perp was female but you got me thinking -- perhaps there's a woman in the new bf's life, say a former gf, who didn't appreciate the new relationship. Jealousy killing....

Possible. No one is looking for women.

Jmo

 

[TristanP]

Re-posting a few of the sheriff's statements

AUG 9, 2023

Rachel Morin's 'horrific' murder along Maryland walking trail shocks 'very safe' community: sheriff

A typically safe Maryland town northeast of Baltimore is desperate for answers after a mom of five was found dead off a popular walking trail on Sunday.

www.fox5dc.com

[...]

"It was more than obviously apparent to police officers and our detectives who came up that this was not an accidental injury – somebody out exercising who's fallen down and sustained a fatal injury," Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler told Fox News Digital. "This was not something that was self-inflicted.… This was the action of one or more persons who took her life in a criminal homicide – an egregious, horrific act in what is very otherwise… a very, very safe area."

[...]

"As sheriff, if I could alleviate some of the concerns here in our community by saying, ‘Hey, we have a solid suspect’… that would be good reassurance that this was not some random thing but a targeted event," Gahler said. "We do not have that confidence, and I keep saying that over and over again. We are looking at every possibility and to focus on this one individual may come at the expense of… not looking at someone else."

[...]

It’s great to see LE responding this way, instead of rushing to a conclusion as sometimes happens.

 

[Joe Friday]

I, too, am not ruling out a woman perp. I can't put my finger on it, so I have nothing to back it up. I just wouldn't be surprised if a woman did this to her.

Not many women could move a 105 lb body 20 feet through the rocky terrain as pictured outside the tunnels.

If the description of the 15 -20 foot trail of blood is correct. The body had to have been moved or dragged inside the tunnel where found.

JMO

 

[Megnut]

Not many women could move a 105 lb body 20 feet through the rocky terrain as pictured outside the tunnels.

If the description of the 15 -20 foot trail of blood is correct. The body had to have been moved or dragged inside the tunnel where found.

JMO

The nature of the crime suggests male to me too. Further, the rock suggests he had no other weapons on him/ available to him which makes me think young.

We don't know if there were blows to the front and rear both. One to the face may be sufficient to disable screaming. Awful, awful, awful.

I imagine LE was able quickly to determine the first point of contact. Which would indicate where the offender had been, whether he had cover to hide behind, a bend in the path to exploit. Whether there was a beeline of any sort between parking/access and first point of contact.

The question always becomes --- was he targeting any solo runner that day or this specific one?

Scary he's still out there somewhere.

Jmo

 

[Elliot_Alderson]

I mentioned this yesterday, I don't know that it's been reported if she were wearing a fitbit and/or apple watch or iPod. I'm sure her family knows how she usually runs and how she tracks her fitness goals.

I know fitbit's can be helpful, but it always makes me think of a case local to me where a teacher (Susan Ledyard) was killed and was wearing her fitbit the entire time and they still claim they have no suspects.

 

[Ravenmoon]

I know.
But she might have been running away from somebody chasing her.
We know nothing really.

It is just another possibiity.

JMO

True.
But reports are claiming that she was nude.


JMO

 

[NextSprint]

Regarding the possible link between Rachel Morin's murder, and the disappearance of Mariam Sylla, there are a few potential connections and overlapping circumstances that may tie these two disappearances together IMO. Notwithstanding new developments to yet emerge in Mariam's case, I do think it's worth giving some thought based on some highly correlating circumstances (timing (Saturday evenings) and closeness to a specific highway corridor). The emergency of the Gilgo serial killer has - in my mind - given more weight to the idea of serial predators:

Similarities in circumstances

Notably, both women vanished while following their regular walking routes, both on a Saturday, both around 8pm. The proximity of the disappearance sites to major highways (Highway 1 and Interstate 295) is of significance, and could play a role in a possible predator's ability to quickly escape. Additionally, both cases share proximity to state borders (10km from the DC border for Mariam and 20km from the Delaware border for Rachel), which could be significant for potential escape routes and/or mental "boundaries". Truck rest stops are nearby, with distances of approximately 20-25km for Mariam and 14km for Rachel, potentially offering opportunities for quick travel or temporary seclusion if a predator is using a vehicle.

Saturday evenings are a time when people often have predictable routines, especially those who work regular hours during the week. On weekends, many people are more relaxed and may be more focused on leisure activities. The relaxed atmosphere might make potential victims less vigilant and more susceptible to surprise abductions. The darkness helps, and that time of the night is dark enough to provide cover but not the "middle of the night." The weekend might provide a possible serial perp with more freedom and flexibility in terms of their own schedule. They may have other responsibilities during the workweek that limit their ability to commit predatory acts.

Despite demographic differences (African origin for Mariam and Caucasian for Rachel) and significant age variations, the abductor might not have a specific victim profile based solely on these characteristics.

Although the two locations are not extremely close to each other (though they are connected), their presence in the same general region, and along a highway corridor, could suggest the abductor's familiarity with the area or a preference for victims within a specific geographic range.

Some points of geographic significance

The proximity of both locations to major highways is significant for several reasons. It allows the abductor to quickly move between sites, evade law enforcement by accessing different regions, and potentially target transient individuals less familiar with the area. The familiarity with the highway network aids in strategic location choices, and highways serve as effective escape routes, complicating immediate tracking by law enforcement.

...Baltimore is the dead-centre of the line between the two locations.

Bel Air, and Greenbelt, are equidistant from downtown Baltimore (38-39km each), which is also where Highway 1 and Interstate 295 join. The equidistant position could suggest that the perpetrator might have a home or a base in Baltimore, which might be worth investigating. However, this is speculation.

 

[Ontario Mom]

True.
But reports are claiming that she was nude.


JMO

As far as I know, the only one claiming she was nude, was the guy that local LE have now basically said, doesn't know what he's talking about, and never saw her body.

I have a hunch he did. I stated several pages back (based on him saying she was found nude) that if a SA had not taken place, that gives a little more credence (to me) it's possible this was a female perp. Leaving her that way being one last public humiliation for her.

jmo

 

[Inthedetails]

The nature of the crime suggests male to me too. Further, the rock suggests he had no other weapons on him/ available to him which makes me think young.

We don't know if there were blows to the front and rear both. One to the face may be sufficient to disable screaming. Awful, awful, awful.

I imagine LE was able quickly to determine the first point of contact. Which would indicate where the offender had been, whether he had cover to hide behind, a bend in the path to exploit. Whether there was a beeline of any sort between parking/access and first point of contact.

The question always becomes --- was he targeting any solo runner that day or this specific one?

Scary he's still out there somewhere.

Jmo

I wish LE would come forward, if it makes sense in their investigation, to ask the public if anyone they know has recent scratches or injuries.

jmo

 

[CaptRenault]

*I don’t know what kind of safety protocols (no convicted felons, etc) were on the apps she used, but the multiple sites are concerning. I worry about Tinder rape escalating into Tinder murder. Multiple dating app women must meet multiple dating app men. Jealousy turns to rage? Rejection? Perhaps someone who she’d been chatting with for awhile - she was sweet and comfortable to talk to - he‘s into her & wants to meet - she‘s ambivalent but agrees to meet - hearing the wrong message, perp goes from aggressive to violent.

I don't know of any popular, widely used dating apps that screen people for criminal records. I have never heard of such a thing.

Also, it seems very unlikely that Ms. Morin would agree to meet a stranger or a new acquaintance at an isolated trail in the woods. Who does that? You meet for coffee or lunch in a public place for a first meeting and then you go out to public places for the first couple dates.

Based on what we know for sure, which is not much, no one can be ruled out yet as a suspect and I don't think the police have ruled anyone out. I would not be surprised if the culprit turns out to be a stranger but my instincts make me suspect that it was someone who was known to her.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

"Do you ever think about getting raped on the running trail?" I asked. "Does it ever cross your mind?" It wasn't a confrontational question, but a curious one.

He looked surprised for a second, then shook his head. "No. Never," he said.

We sat in silence for a second as the obvious sunk in. When I run alone, I do think about that possibility. I think about it every time. I know every part of the trail that's obscured from public view, the parts where I run a little faster, where my spatial awareness is heightened. When a man runs behind me or towards me, my radar goes up. It happens automatically. I don't assume anyone is a rapist, of course, but I'm always mentally prepared for the possibility. After a million stories and a lifetime living in a woman's body, my instinct to prepare for the worst is as natural as breathing.

My husband experiences almost none of this. The possibility of being attacked and/or raped exists for him, but the risk and the fear is nowhere near the same as it is for me. He can enjoy a solo run, or walk down the street, or leave a building alone without being on guard constantly, whereas the times that I'm able to truly free my mind when I'm moving through the world by myself are few and far between.
…
If you're a man reading this and feeling defensive, please don't. We know it's not all men. If you're a man reading this and wondering what you can do to help, thank you for asking. Here are some things you can do to help women feel safer:

- If you're walking behind a woman, crossing the street is one way to let her know you're not purposefully following her

- If you're walking toward a woman, moving over to the opposite side of the walkway and giving her a wide berth is helpful

- As silly as it might sound, a verbal acknowledgment of your awareness of the situation can be helpful. I've had men say something like, "Just want to let you know I'm walking here behind you, but I promise I'm not following you or anything creepy!" and found it comforting.

- If a woman friend asks you to escort her somewhere, don't make her feel like she's being silly. Also, don't assume she's hitting on you.

- If you see a woman who appears to be uncomfortable with a man in a public place, you can give her a potential "out" by calling to her like you know her. Something like, "Katie! Is that you?" can be enough to let her (and the potentially problematic guy) know that you've got your eye on the situation.

- If you're out in public and a woman comes up and acts like you're a friend of hers, play along. Sometimes women will do this to get away from a creepy guy.

- Speak up when other men make sexist or inappropriate comments about women. Don't go along with the culture that allows women to be seen primarily as sexualized objects.

Women are sharing the mental checklists they run through to navigate the world. It's a lot.

I once asked my husband if he ever worries about being raped while running. His response was an epiphany for both of us.

www.upworthy.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1369717799841595396

https://twitter.com/HarrietEJohnson

 

[imstilla.grandma]

I don't know of any popular, widely used dating apps that screen people for criminal records. I have never heard of such a thing.

Also, it seems very unlikely that Ms. Morin would agree to meet a stranger or a new acquaintance at an isolated trail in the woods. Who does that? You meet for coffee or lunch in a public place for a first meeting and then you go out to public places for the first couple dates.

Based on what we know for sure, which is not much, no one can be ruled out yet as a suspect and I don't think the police have ruled anyone out. I would not be surprised if the culprit turns out to be a stranger but my instincts make me suspect that it was someone who was known to her.

I read of a couple that do this morning. I’ll have to find them when I‘m able. I’ve only been through eleventy billion screens since.

 

[investigatefred]

<modsnip - quoted post was off topic>
I wonder how the perp left the area covered in victim's blood?
Did he leave by the tunnel to the other side?
Surely by paths known only to him.

JMO

Wasn't there water from a small creek streaming through those tunnels? He could have rinsed himself off, removed his shirt, etc. Nobody would have batted an eye at a shirtless person. Maybe they had a backpack with other clothes inside?

I watched a video someone did of the trail. With so many ways to walk or bike in from, or exit to, there's many possibilities of how they did this without being seen by "normal" trail users who tend to remain on the actual path. I'm almost leaning to the perp having a bicycle for a quick getaway, and I do not think it was someone she knew or intended to meet up with.

Just my two cents.

 

[CaptRenault]

I read of a couple that do this morning. I’ll have to find them when I‘m able. I’ve only been through eleventy billion screens since.

With all due respect, I doubt that you will find any "popular widely used dating apps" (that is what I specified in my comment) that use criminal background checks as a screening method. So I am talking about Match, eHarmony, JDate, OurTime, Plenty of Fish, OK Cupid, Tinder, Seeking, Bumble, Facebook, etc.

There are some niche dating sites that use human matchmakers to match people. Unlike all the popular sites, such sites charge substantial fees, have many fewer users and some might do background checks. But it is likely that Ms. Morin was using the popular, mainstream sites that I mentioned and those sites do not do background checks.

Of course, once you have a person's legal name, address and age, you can order and pay for your own background check (the cost varies between $25-50). I doubt very much that Ms. Morin was doing that.

 

[Alkali13]

With all due respect, I doubt that you will find any "popular widely used dating apps" (that is what I specified in my comment) that use criminal background checks as a screening method. So I am talking about Match, eHarmony, JDate, OurTime, Plenty of Fish, OK Cupid, Tinder, Seeking, Bumble, Facebook, etc.

There are some niche dating sites that use human matchmakers to match people. Unlike all the popular sites, such sites charge substantial fees, have many fewer users and some might do background checks. But it is likely that Ms. Morin was using the popular, mainstream sites that I mentioned and those sites do not do background checks.

Of course, once you have a person's legal name, address and age, you can order and pay for your own background check (the cost varies between $25-50). I doubt very much that Ms. Morin was doing that.

There are some that offer the option apparently (Tinder, Match), but it's by no means a screening tool. In what I've seen there are a limited number of free ones or a nominal fee to do so, and obviously the one who wants to run the background check incurs that cost (although it's much cheaper than a standard background check) and has to choose to do so.