Community Corner

Family Of Slain MD Mom Rachel Morin Asks For Daily Worldwide Prayers For Justice

Rachel Morin's family has created an online event encouraging everyone around the world to pray daily for justice for the slain Bel Air mom.

Almost three months have passed since 37-year-old Rachel Morin's body was found along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air. Her family is desperate for answers in her death and they — along with police and community members — want to see a suspect charged.
Almost three months have passed since 37-year-old Rachel Morin's body was found along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air. Her family is desperate for answers in her death and they — along with police and community members — want to see a suspect charged. (Photo courtesy of the Harford County Sheriff's Office)

BEL AIR, MD — With no suspect in custody in the death of Bel Air mother of five Rachel Morin, her family invites the community of Bel Air and beyond to join in a month of daily prayer starting Nov. 1.

According to an online event created by Morin's mother, Patty, and her sister, Rebekah, everyone is asked to commit to praying 5 to 10 minutes each day for the next 30 days. The family hopes the movement will lead to healing for Morin's survivors and an arrest and conviction of her killer.

Morin's body was found Aug. 5 after her boyfriend, Richard Tobin, reported her missing when she didn't return from her walk on the near the Ma and Pa Trail in Harford County 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.

Find out what's happening in Bel Airwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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. (See flyer at the bottom of this story for suspect photos.)

The Morin family is asking specifically for prayers for:

Find out what's happening in Bel Airwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Comfort, healing and provision for the Morin family.
  • Wisdom, understanding and protection for law enforcement as they work the case, and to find strong evidence in the arrest and conviction of Rachel Morin's killer so that justice can be obtained for her.
  • For witnesses and those who know the murderer to come forward for the sake of saving the lives of other potential victims and to spare their families the heartache that comes with that loss.
  • For those who are able to donate to the reward through their attorney's office.

"...that with an increased incentive, someone would turn this murderer in before he takes another life in the community. Thank you for your prayers and support," they posted.


Related:

Patty Morin has spoken only briefly with the media since her daughter's death, but chose to speak up as time continues to pass from the day when Rachel's body was found along the trail they often walked as a family.

"We're so connected that it physically hurts us that she's not here," Patty Morin said in the interview. "I know it's a fact, but I can't accept it yet."

Her daughter worked hard cleaning houses in order to provide care for her children, Patty said. The younger kids have since been split up and are living separately with relatives.

"She didn't see herself as being a target or at risk for anything. She lived life as Rachel. She loved people and was outgoing, so that made me scared for her, and I would tell her all the time, 'Rachel, don't walk the trail by yourself,'" Patty Morin said in the interview. "I've seen my daughter since they found her, but seeing her and accepting it are like two different things."

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said he believes the suspect could be a serial killer.

"My concern is that this killer is escalating. My investigators and I both firmly believe that if we do not apprehend this individual, he will again, if he has not done so already. And, if given the chance, he certainly could become a serial killer," Gahler said. "Until he is in custody, this suspect poses a threat to every community in our country and maybe outside," he said.

The sheriff encourages people to continue sharing the video of the suspect and continue sending legitimate tips to [email protected].

The total reward offered for tips leading to Morin's killer has reached $30,000. Anyone who wants to contribute to the reward can do so here.

Related:


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.