Rachel Morin Death: Boyfriend Gave DNA Sample, Family Asks For Space

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The boyfriend of Rachel Morin, a mother of five found dead along a stretch of the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air on Sunday, gave investigators a DNA sample and his cell phone when questioned by investigators, according to a report.

Richard Tobin, 27, was among several people interviewed by the Harford County Sheriff's Office earlier this week regarding Morin's death. Tobin has publicly denied involvement in her death and has not been named a suspect by the sheriff's office.

A source close to Tobin told the Baltimore Banner that Tobin gave investigators his cell phone and a DNA sample. The person asked not to be identified because of intense media coverage surrounding the case, the Banner reported.

Morin's boyfriend reported her missing Saturday night after she did not return from an evening walk along the Ma and Pa Trail, which runs throughout Harford County. During an earlier news conference, Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said Morin headed out on Old Emmorton Road around 6 p.m. Saturday to go to the trail.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Sunday, a citizen called 911 to report finding a woman's body located off the trail, Gahler said. The body was later confirmed to be Morin.

Authorities have not revealed Morin's cause of death or identified a suspect.

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According to the Banner, Morin's Facebook page said she and Tobin were "in a relationship" just three days before her death. The page has since been deactivated, the news site reported.

Tobin posted a defense on Facebook, according to the Banner, claiming he "would never do anything to her." The report said he also admitted to past criminal convictions, which he blamed on previous drug use.

Investigators have received hundreds of tips connected to Morin's death; however, many have been fake, authorities told WBAL.

Authorities told WBAL that while they investigate every tip, false information can harm the investigation.

"If people are putting false information out there or guesses out there, coming up with their own theories of what happened and people are running with that, that can distract our investigation. Because if people have leads, we're going to follow up on those leads, and we want our detectives focused on things that are actual facts and not things that are made up by other people," Col. William Davis told WBAL.

Family Asks For Compassion, Space

On Wednesday, Morin's family walked the trail where her body was found, posting her picture on trees and encouraging the public to lay flowers beside the trail, reports said.

In a social media post, Morin's mother thanked the community for the "outpouring of prayers, love, and concern," Fox Baltimore reported. She also said plans are in the works for a celebration of life ceremony and a 5K race in Rachel's honor.

Morin's mother also asked for "time and space to grieve as a family," according to WBAL.

"We just need time. I need time," she wrote. "It has only been four days since we received the horrific news. I ask that as mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, that you would please have compassion on us and allow us this."

Morin's sister, Rebekah, has created a GoFundMe to help celebrate her life. 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 than 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.

She continued, "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."