A father who found Rachel Morin’s body in a tunnel has revealed startling details about the discovery – police say they have received 90 leads from the public about her death.
Michael Gabriszeski, whose daughter was friends with 37-year-old Rachel, joined the search and called the police when he discovered her body in a drain in a tunnel on the Ma and Pa Trail in Maryland.
The manner in which the body of the mother-of-five was found prompted police to open a murder investigation – even before formal identification of the body was complete.
Of his search efforts, local Michael Gabriszeski told WMAR, “I went down and searched the tunnels because I had a feel for those tunnels.”
Rachel Morin, 37, was found dead on the hiking trail over the weekend. No suspects have been arrested so far, but a murder investigation is ongoing
Michael Gabriszeski, whose daughter was friends with Rachel, joined the search and called the police when he discovered her body in a drain in a tunnel on the Ma and Pa Trail in Maryland
One of the tunnels on the Ma and Pa Trail in Maryland. Police have not confirmed the specific location where the mother was found
“And I went forward to search the one tunnel, and they searched the one, and there they found them.”
‘[I hope she can] finds a final resting place with her family so that this door can finally be closed. [So] You can start the investigation and hopefully catch the person who did this little thing.”
Meanwhile, police have been trying to get all the footage of people who were on the trail over the weekend.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement yesterday: “Investigators are asking for your help.”
“If you were on or near the Ma & Pa Trail or trailheads on Saturday and took photos or video, we ask that you please share them with investigators.”
“There might be something useful in one of your photos that could give us another piece of the puzzle.”
“As of this morning, we have already received nearly 90 tips from concerned community members in relation to the killing of Rachel Morin.
One of the tunnels on the Ma and Pa Trail in Maryland. Police have not confirmed the specific location where the mother was found
“Thank you for all the support you have given.”
It was officially confirmed yesterday that the body was indeed Rachel’s body.
Officials at the Harford County Sheriff’s Office in Bel Air, about 45 miles north of Baltimore, said they still had no leads on possible suspects.
A female body was discovered on the Ma and Pa trail by a member of the public, Gabriszeski, on Sunday afternoon.
“This afternoon we received confirmation from the coroner that the body recovered was that of Rachel Morin,” said a Harford County Sheriff’s spokeswoman.
However, she added that investigators had not yet identified any possible suspects as part of their murder investigation and again called for new leads.
“We’re asking people if they have any information that they would please stop and pass on to the sheriff’s office rather than discussing it on social media,” the spokeswoman said.
Local police declined to comment on how Morin died or what injuries she sustained.
This comes after her new boyfriend claimed on social media that he had nothing to do with her killing, despite his criminal past.
The couple made their relationship official on social media just four days earlier.
The coroner has not yet revealed how Morin died, but a murder investigation has been launched. Her family said she did not leave “voluntarily” and that her death was “not an accident”.
When questions arose about the woman’s death on Sunday, Tobin took to social media to stress that he had nothing to do with it.
“I love Rachel. I would never harm her, let the family and I grieve. Yes, I have a past, but I’m also 15 months clean and I’ve changed as a person. Please.’
Tobin has been arrested 14 times since 2014 on a variety of charges including drug trafficking, assault, disorderly conduct and evading arrest.
His extensive criminal record includes two arrests for second-degree criminal assault, restraining order violation, drug possession and malicious damage to property.
Documents show Tobin also has a number of traffic offenses, a fugitive offense, resisting arrest, and disorderly intoxication and disorderly conduct on his record.
The Ma and Pa Heritage Trail in Maryland, where Rachel’s body was found Sunday
Rachel Morin and Richard Tobin started dating “a few weeks” ago. She was found murdered on a hiking trail on Sunday. The pair are shown during a previous hike together
His most recent misdemeanor on record – second-degree assault – occurred on March 14, 2020.
In an update to its statement Sunday, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said, “Around 1:07 p.m. a deceased woman was found off the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air.” The victim’s identity and the cause and manner of death are still being released examined.
“We strongly believe this is the body of Rachel Morin.” But the final decision rests with the coroner, and it hasn’t come to that yet.
“Thank God there isn’t too much violent crime in Harford County, but when we do have one, I prefer to be able to stand here and tell you the suspect has been arrested or that it’s a targeted crime.”
“I can’t tell you that’s the case.”
“I’m not going to elaborate on what they physically observed at the crime scene.” Unfortunately, investigators believe it was a homicide.”
Just days before her disappearance and death, Rachel shared snaps of herself and her new boyfriend, Richard.
She wrote, along with two smiley pics, ‘I only started taking pictures a few weeks ago…but these are some of my favourites.’From the beach to the mountains.’
Morin was only 1.70 meters tall and weighed only 55 kilograms.
She was last spotted in a blue or black tank top, black sports bra, black spandex shorts and gray sneakers.
Her car was also at the entrance to the trail on Williams Street.