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Killing of Maryland Mom of Five is a Possible Random Attack, Sheriff Says
“Not knowing whether this was a targeted event... be thinking there could be somebody out here and this is a random event," Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said.
As police continue to try to find a suspect in the homicide case of a Maryland mother whose body was found along a nature trail, they say her death could be the result of a random act of violence.
The remains of Rachel Morin were found Sunday along the Ma and Pa Trail in the town of Bel Air as the community searched for the 37-year-old mother of five who went missing Saturday when she headed to the area to exercise.
"We do not have a solid suspect,” Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said, according to WBALTV. “Not knowing whether this was a targeted event specific to Rachel, we are going to say, yes, be aware, be thinking there could be somebody out here and this is a random event.”
RELATED: Body Found along Maryland Nature Trail amid Search for Missing Mother of Five
Police presence has increased at the trail amid the investigation.
“We understand that this is going to cause a lot of concern,” Gahler said Sunday. “We ask everyone to use good judgment on the trail — and not just on the trail but in everyday life — but always be aware of your surroundings."
A volunteer from the community found the remains Sunday afternoon, which were later confirmed by police to be Morin's.
Morin’s boyfriend reported her missing Saturday night after she left her home around 6 p.m. to visit the local nature trail. Her boyfriend and family grew concerned after she didn’t come home.
Law enforcement located Morin’s car at the William St. entrance to the trail Sunday morning.
Local resident Michael Gabriszeski told ABC affiliate WMAR-2 that he and his daughter, who was reportedly friends with Morin, joined the search for the woman on Sunday, which led to his daughter and a friend discovering Morin's body in a drain.
"I had a feeling about those tunnels, and I walked forward to search the one tunnel, and they searched the one, and that's where they found her," Gabriszeski said.
"Something like this should not happen in Harford County," he added.
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Gabriszeski told the station that the condition they found Morin's body in led him to believe that she was murdered.
Police are asking for anyone living near the trailhead to review their security cameras and look for anything suspicious. They request that any photos or videos take on the trail be turned in to police for further investigation.
Morin’s sister, Rebekah Morin, created a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses.
“This was not an [accidental] death, and she did not go willingly and she deserves a funeral worthy of ... her beauty,” she wrote.
