Bel Air on edge after body of mother of five, Rachel Morin, was found on popular trail
BALTIMORE - There was a heavy law enforcement presence on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air on Monday, one day after deputies found the body of 37-year-old Rachel Morin, a mother of five.
Authorities believe her death is a homicide, but they have not made any arrests in the case.
A visible police presence on the Ma&Pa Trail in Bel Air where police found Rachel Morin’s body. No suspects have been arrested. @wjz https://t.co/JjS53lu2PH pic.twitter.com/D1NMyfOQKB
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) August 7, 2023
WJZ Investigator Mike Hellgren reports deputies cannot say at this point whether Morin was targeted or if this was random violence.
It has many on edge.
"It's devastating. I couldn't believe it," said Kathy, who didn't provide her last name for security reasons. "It's always been safe. I've always done this trail, under the tunnel and everything. Always safe. I hope this killer is found. It's not going to be safe until they find this guy."
AHEAD on @wjz at 5,6,7: The latest from
— Mike Hellgren (@HellgrenWJZ) August 7, 2023
investigators in Harford County after a body believed to be mom of 5 Rachel Morin was found off the Ma&Pa Trail. pic.twitter.com/EcbmlTQTa2
Deputies are not revealing many details but said Morin's boyfriend reported her missing after she never returned from a walk.
She left around 6 pm Saturday. The body was found around 1 p.m. Sunday.
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said there are "zero" suspects at this point. He said his investigators are still waiting for an autopsy.
Help locate Rachel Morin, age 37. Last seen around 1800 hours on Sat, 08/05/23 when she left to walk on the Ma&Pa Trail in Bel Air.
— Harford Sheriff (@Harford_Sheriff) August 6, 2023
5’2, 107 lbs,blonde hair,blue eyes. Blue/blk tank,blk sports bra,blk shorts,gray sneakers.
Any info contact Detective Golden at (410) 836-5430. pic.twitter.com/1N5Jd67EhT
Morin was a mother of five.
Her sister started an online fundraiser that has raised more than $30,000. She wrote, "This was not an accidental death, and she did not go willingly. She deserves a funeral worthy of her beauty."
The remaining funds will go to her children.
A day after the grisly discovery, fewer people are on the Ma and Pa, but the tragedy weighs heavily on the minds of those who are with the close-knit Harford County community in shock.
"For someone to grab her on the trail, I can't fathom it. For someone to take the chance she's not going to scream and hear her," said Donald Lemon, from Bel Air. "I hope the family gets justice."