Investigators in Fairfax County, Virginia believe a body found at a park in Maryland is likely that of a woman missing for 3 weeks, Hannah Choi, reports NBC Washington.
The 35 year old has not been seen since leaving her home on March 5. Her ex-boyfriend Joel Mosso Merino is suspected and wanted for second-degree murder and dumping her body.
Fox5 reports the Charles County Sheriff’s Office notified detectives after a passerby discovered the body in Piscataway Park. Search and rescue crews had combed 800 acres of the wooded area.
The whereabouts of Merino is unknown. The medical examiner must still confirm the identity of the body.
According to Crime Online, Merino was last seen in the Atlanta area. Authorities fear he may have left the country. Investigation Discovery reports that police found what they believe to be Merino’s vehicle in the Washington, DC area. They say a search warrant conducted on the car found enough evidence to charge Merino with second-degree murder. Evidence placed Merino at the park where they found the body.
The couple recently broke up and he moved out just days before her disappearance. Choi’s sister says she is not aware that their relationship was violent.
A Go Fund Me page set up to raise money for a $40,000 reward leading to Merino’s capture has generated $50,000. Any extra money raised will go toward legal fees and expenses to settle Choi’s estate.
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So unfortunate, another young lady murdered by a man….😞