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

[Jurisprudence]

#1 has me wondering if he saw her at the gym. Maybe overheard her mention going to the trail? MOO

That's such a great observation. He looks like a gym rat. Maybe even a tanning salon guy.

Moo

 

[kimmera]

They have video of him and his DNA, but they can't yet connect that to a name. Not sure I'd assume he is a minor.

As a poster said earlier, I'd not be surprised if genealogy plays a roll in identifying him.
JMO

The law in Maryland is very strict about using it, but it would certainly seem that this case meets the threshold...https://innocenceproject.org/news/maryland-passes-forensic-genetic-genealogy-law-dna/

 

[otto]

#1 has me wondering if he saw her at the gym. Maybe overheard her mention going to the trail? MOO

ETA: Sorry @otto, I just read your post with the same idea!

One look at the suspect, and it's a natural question. Broad daylight abduction suggests that he had the upper hand, he had a plan that happened fast when no one else on the trail was in sight. It might not have been his first attempt. If she had a routine of gym and run/walk, it seems less random.

 

[kimmera]

He has clearly escalated his violence since last spring, he is dangerous and no telling where he is. Grateful that his DNA is on record.

He has distinctive ears. JMO

As well as being bowlegged.

 

[Puzzles8]

The law in Maryland is very strict about using it, but it would certainly seem that this case meets the threshold...https://innocenceproject.org/news/maryland-passes-forensic-genetic-genealogy-law-dna/

Can you please re-link to the article, link doesn't work for me
Thanks
JMO

 

[Jurisprudence]

Quite often, when a woman is abducted on a park path, we assume a random crime of opportunity. I'm wondering whether this was a situation where he knew who she was and her habits, but she did not know him. He looks fit. Did they first cross paths at a gym? She was on several dating sites. Did they connect there, but he used someone else's photo?

Like the Kohberger murders in Idaho, where he crossed paths with one of the victims and learned the house schedule, I think this suspect crossed paths with Rachel somewhere prior to the murder.

That gave him the advantage on the path. It seems unusual to grab a woman in broad daylight off a path right next to a drainage culvert, unless it's all pre-planned and he is expecting her.

Same with the cameras. He arrived at the house, but there's no footage of his face approaching the camera (that we know of). Chances are he knew that the young girl was home alone and perhaps he knew camera locations prior to the assault.

Excellent post. I agree. I think he knew what cameras were there, where they were, and how many there were. And, he wasn't the slightest bit concerned about it. He simply avoided showing his face.

If this was ever at a lull in LA, I think it just got new life. I expect LA is going to ramp this up again now with him wanted for homicide. The FBI is hopefully already involved bringing all of their resources to bear.

jmo

 

[whitelilac]

If he was going to the gym, where Rachel went, employees and people there could recognize his features...his height, weight, his back, Latino. Hair likely different but still. Possibly.

 

[PromPeace12]

I'm looking at this video again. He's just mo-zing? sauntering, strolling out of the house. Like it's his house and he's leaving to go out. It's so weird imo

Might be a silly question but did LE say this was the actual clip from the L.A. home invasion in March?

 

[Centaurus]

Photo posted upthread - screen captures from video. It looks like the top part of his ears folds down or sticks out.

View attachment 441604

Maybe cauliflower ear (wrestler's ear)?

 

[Friday Fan]

Photo posted upthread - screen captures from video. It looks like the top part of his ears folds down or sticks out.

View attachment 441604

Ick...Sure doesn't look like a guy who would commit crimes on both sides of the country. Looks like a "local" type. (If you know what I mean. Esp that haircut)

 

[Jurisprudence]

Can you please re-link to the article, link doesn't work for me
Thanks
JMO

If that's an issue they may be able to make this a federal case. You have a minor involved and a perp crossing state lines

jmo

 

[otto]

The law in Maryland is very strict about using it, but it would certainly seem that this case meets the threshold...https://innocenceproject.org/news/maryland-passes-forensic-genetic-genealogy-law-dna/

Thank you for the link! I think this could be an exception where requesting non-suspect permission to use DNA would pose a risk to the investigation. Does that mean that investigators could access DNA data banks to investigate DNA matches without notifying anyone?

"On Friday, Maryland enacted a law to regulate the use of forensic genetic genealogy — a technique used by law enforcement to identify suspects by analyzing their relatives’ DNA and constructing “family trees.” The law, sponsored by Senator Charles Sydnor III and Delegate Emily Shetty, creates judicial oversight over and laboratory licensing for the use of forensic genetic genealogy.
...

Maryland’s new legislation requires that this process only be used in investigations with the knowledge and oversight of a judge and establishes a panel of stakeholders to conduct an annual review of its use.
...

Fortunately, Maryland’s new legislation requires law enforcement to get informed consent from non-suspects if they want to use the DNA profiles they contributed to commercial databases. The only exception to this is in cases where law enforcement can demonstrate to a judge that asking the non-suspect may pose a substantial significant risk to the investigation"

Maryland Just Enacted a Historic Law Preventing the Misuse of Genetic Information - Innocence Project

innocenceproject.org

 

[otto]

Can you please re-link to the article, link doesn't work for me
Thanks
JMO

I had the same issue - found the link

Maryland Just Enacted a Historic Law Preventing the Misuse of Genetic Information - Innocence Project

innocenceproject.org

 

[Puzzles8]

If he was going to the gym, where Rachel went, employees and people there could recognize his features...his height, weight, his back, Latino. Hair likely different but still. Possibly.

You bring up a very good point. The suspect is a physically fit young man. He clearly works out at a gym.

Rachel had a 'black card' to Planet Fitness, meaning she could use any Planet Fitness Gym in the US. I wonder if he had the same?

JMO

 

[kimmera]

Every time I click on a DM link it freezes my computer. So sick of it!!

Mine too. The NY Post does it to mine also.

 

[otto]

Might be a silly question but did LE say this was the actual clip from the L.A. home invasion in March?

Here's the link that includes the video

Suspect in Rachel Morin's death on Maryland trail linked to LA assault by DNA, police say

DNA from the the person who likely killed Rachel Morin on a Maryland trail matched that of a man who assaulted a girl in LA in March, police say.

www.usatoday.com

 

[Jurisprudence]

One look at the suspect, and it's a natural question. Broad daylight abduction suggests that he had the upper hand, he had a plan that happened fast when no one else on the trail was in sight. It might not have been his first attempt. If she had a routine of gym and run/walk, it seems less random.

I saw PommyMommy's post b4 yours you both made this great connection that no matter how many times so many of us spoke about him being fit none of us made that "natural question"/obvious connection that Rachel was a gym person too - who actually went to the gym that very day didn't she??? So don't sell yourselves short. You both did better than the rest of us!

jmo

 

[justtrish]

No I don't believe they gave any solid details like that. But still, the more I think about that 2-second video the more Qs pop into my head. I thought that video might be of little value but there is actually a lot of information that can be gleaned from it imo

Makes me wonder if there are other videos, but they aren't as clear and this one is very clear, just isn't showing his face. Someone that knows him would likely be able to pick him out with what we know.. March in CA and now August in Maryland and his body type with the hair and side of the face.. someone can put that together if they know him.

 

[steeltowngirl]

Looks can be deceiving, but…

That doesn’t strike me as a trucker’s haircut.

Maybe an auto transport service driver? I think some online vehicle sales companies hire drivers to deliver cars to buyers. Some will even drive cross county to deliver used luxury cars.

 

[kimmera]

Maybe cauliflower ear (wrestler's ear)?

MMA fighter or boxer maybe?