Memorial Walk Held In Honor Of Slain Mom Rachel Morin Sends Message To Suspect

BEL AIR, MD — In a show of solidarity, dozens of Bel Air residents gathered Tuesday to walk the popular Ma and Pa Trail to send a message to whoever killed 37-year-old mother of five Rachel Morin. Her body was found near the trail Sunday after she didn't return home from a walk Saturday evening.

"Whoever did this, you tried to rob us of this? No, you're not doing that," Regina Brown told WBAL. "I come here almost every single day and I walk in the morning. It's like zen. It's a meditative experience. It's quiet, it's beautiful and you're in touch with nature."

Harford County councilwoman Jessica Boyle-Tsottles organized the walk for women to honor Morin's life. She called it the Women's Walk Along.

"A lot of moms that come here walk this trail after they drop their kids off in the morning at camp or school. They walk with their babies and they're scared to walk the trail," Boyle-Tsottles said. "When people don't feel safe, we need to do something about it."

Morin's family was invited but did not attend the event, WBAL noted.

"I had absolutely no intentions of upsetting the family or anyone that's involved in this terrible tragedy. Our intent was to show up and become united and be together," Boyle-Tsottles said. "We stand strong and we are united. We don't put up with crime in our community.

Related:

• Photos, Videos Sought From Site Where Rachel Morin's Body Was Found
• No Suspect, Motive Known In Rachel Morin Homicide: Harford Sheriff

Bob and Mary McManus watched the memorial walk from the patio of their condo. Mary McManus recalled what happened the day Morin's body was discovered.

"Sunday morning I woke up and when I saw 25 policemen standing out here, my heart started to beat and race," McManus told WBFF. "I was shaking by the end of the day because I felt like I was watching a criminal movie."

The community has been asked to provide photos and videos anyone may have taken near the Ma and Pa Trail or trail heads Saturday around the time Bel Air mom of five Rachel Morin, 37, was reported missing.

"There could be something helpful in one of your photos that might bring us one more piece of the puzzle," the Harford County Sheriff's Office stated on its Facebook page. "As of this morning, we have already received nearly 90 tips from concerned community members in reference to the murder of Rachel Morin. Thank you for all the support you have given."

Anyone with a photo or video to share is asked to send it to Sgt. Maddox at maddoxc@harfordsheriff.org.

Morin's body was found Sunday around 1 p.m. off the Ma and Pa Trail Sunday by a volunteer searching for her. Her death has been deemed a homicide by the sheriff's office.

Morin's boyfriend reported her missing Saturday night after she did not return from a walk along a stretch of Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air. The trail runs throughout Harford County.

Morin, who was 5'2 and 107 pounds, left her home around 6 p.m. Her vehicle was found Sunday morning at the trail's Williams Street entrance, Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said in a news conference Sunday night. He also noted the cause of her death remains unconfirmed until the Office of the Medical Examiner confirms it.

The sheriff noted that homicide can generate concern within a community and for the sheriff's office. A suspect has not been identified and Gahler asked residents to remain vigilant and contact authorities if they saw Morin before or during her time spent at the Ma and Pa Trail last weekend before her death.

Morin's boyfriend, Richard Tobin, 27, has publicly denied any involvement in her death. He has not been named a suspect by the sheriff's office.

“I love Rachel, I would never do anything to her, let the family and I grieve,” Tobin posted on Facebook. “Yes, I have a past, but I also have 15 months clean and have changed as a person. Please.”

Court records retrieved by the Independent show Tobin has two arrests for second-degree assault and separate arrests for violating restraining orders, malicious destruction of property and drug possession dating back to 2014. The Independent also reported Tobin has faced charges of being a fugitive from justice, resisting arrest and disorderly intoxication.

While a suspect is on the loose, there will be an increased police presence along all portions of the trail, Gahler said.

"If you think you have just the smallest tidbit of information or saw something related to Rachel's travels along or to the trail, we'd like to talk to you," Gahler said.

During a news conference, Gahler shared that Morin headed out on Old Emmorton Road around 6 p.m. to go to the trail.

"When she hadn't returned when expected, her family was obviously concerned ... an initial search by deputies found the vehicle, which has been towed and will be processed for any and all evidence," Gahler said. "While it was all of our hope that Rachel would be found safe, at 1:07 p.m., a citizen called 911 to report a female's body located off the trail. It was obvious that this person was deceased. Our investigation went from a missing person to a homicide.

"This trail is one of our major parks and rec assets. This is going to cause a lot of concern. The crime scene has been processed and the trail reopened. It's always been known to be a safe space. We've had minor incidents before but for now, we ask everyone to use good judgement on the trail. Be aware of your surroundings," Gahler said.

His own home backs up to the trail and Gahler said during the news conference that he'd see people wearing head sets or ear buds while exercising, something he cautions against doing.

"Ear buds are great for exercise but prevents you from being aware of your surroundings. Don't set a predictable routine and be expected to be at a certain spot at a certain time. mix it up. Walk or run with a friend or family member. Buddy up. Carry a whistle or other alert device and be sure and let family know where you are. We also emphasize that if you see something that doesn't make you feel comfortable or is suspicious, call 911. Let us look at it," Gahler said.

Morin's sister, Rebekah, has created a GoFundMe to help celebrate her life. As of Wednesday morning, the GoFundMe campaign had raised $40,007 toward its $65,000 goal. It was a blow to the family who recently experienced the loss of another loved one, she said.

"It is with devastating sadness and a broken heart that our family has been hit with yet another heartbreak. My sister, Rachel Morin, went missing on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023, around 6 p.m. In less then 24 hours, her body was found by local law enforcement. It has only been a week since my niece Lily Beth passed away from SIDS, and I find that I have to make yet another GoFundMe to help my mother, Patty Morin, with funeral costs. There was no life insurance in place," Rebekah Morin posted.

"This was not an accidental death, and she did not go willingly, and she deserves a funeral worthy of her beauty. If there are any remaining funds they will go towards things her five children may need," Rebekah Morin stated.