(NewsNation) — Police in Maryland have released new sketches of the man they suspect killed Rachel Morin, a mother of five.
The 37-year-old was reported missing in August by her boyfriend, who said she never returned after going out for a run. Her body was found on a trail the following day.
This is the biggest break in the case since investigators were able to trace the suspect to another crime in California. Deputies now say they know what the suspect looks like.
Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler said it’s a big step in an investigation that has been going on for six months.
“So this sketch hopefully will be the trigger we need, and that hat, I think it’s key,” he told NewsNation. “That is the Air Jordan hat that he had on in Los Angeles in March of last year when he committed the home invasion there.”
Police have investigated a number of leads, including looking into Morin’s boyfriend, who Gahler said is not a likely suspect; however, he’s not ruling anything out entirely at this point.
“I’m not willing to say anybody on this planet didn’t contribute to this until we have him in custody,” he said.
Witnesses saw the suspect in the area near the trail, and police say he could have been in the area for days or weeks. Deputies also said the hat the suspect is wearing in one of the sketches was also the key piece of DNA evidence that allowed investigators to connect it to another crime in Los Angeles.
Committed six months before Morin’s death, authorities got a side view of the suspect from a doorbell camera. Investigators have also revealed that in the LA attack, which they believe was random, the suspect violently attacked multiple people inside the home, including a minor.
Morin’s family has reacted to the sketch, her mother saying in a statement, “This is a significant step forward in our pursuit of justice, and we are hopeful that it will lead to the identification and apprehension of the man who took Rachel away from us.”
Gahler warned that if left unapprehended, it’s likely the suspect will commit more crimes.
“If this guy is not caught, he will do it again,” Gahler said.
Anyone who recognizes the man in the sketch is asked to contact the Harford County Sheriff’s Office. They have an email tip line and can be reached at rmtips@harfordsheriff.org