Hunt Continues For Rachel Morin Murder Suspect, Authorities Label Him A Serial Killer

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — It's been more than three weeks since the body of Bel Air resident and mom of five Rachel Morin was found near the Ma and Pa Trail in Harford County. Authorities worry that the more time that passes, the greater the risk there is to public safety.

In fact, Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler told Fox News Digital that the suspect in 37-year-old Morin's murder case could be a serial killer.

"The violence associated with Rachel’s case shows he has absolutely no care, no regard for human life. I believe he will continue to do it until he’s captured," Gahler said. "He may be a serial killer. Serial killers all start somewhere. What he did in Los Angeles was certainly, I believe, in that direction. I believe it was his intention to inflict more serious physical harm."

Morin was found naked and "violently assaulted" Aug. 5 after her boyfriend, Richard Tobin, reported her missing when she didn't return from her walk on the trail the night before. DNA evidence pulled from the Morin crime scene matched DNA found at the scene of a March 2023 home invasion and sexual assault of a girl in Los Angeles, the Harford County Sheriff's Office said during a news conference Aug. 16.

Col. William Davis with the Harford County Sheriff's Office spoke at that news conference and shared a video Aug. 16 of the man they believe murdered Morin.

"We think it was a person Rachel didn't know and it was a potential random act of violence," Davis said at the news conference. "In light of this new evidence, I urge our residents to use caution when walking the trails. If you see something that makes you uncomfortable or is suspicious, act on those instincts and call 911."

The suspected attacker is described as 20 to 30 years old, about 5'9" tall and weighs 160 pounds, with dark hair and a muscular build.

Metro Crime Stoppers has offered a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The Harford County Sheriff's Office has added $8,000, bumping the reward up to $10,000.

A couple hundred people gathered Sunday with Morin's friends and family at Greater Grace World Outreach Church in Baltimore. The family had held a small, private funeral and burial for Morin previously.

Morin's mother, Patty Morin, talked about what the walk for Morin held earlier this month meant to the family. She described the "unbearable" pain of finding out what had happened to her daughter, reported WBAL.

Authorities are asking that anyone with information related to Morin's disappearance or death to call 412-836-5430 or email [email protected].

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