Rachel Morin Death: Sheriff Refutes Searcher's Claim On Finding Body

Updated at 2:05 p.m.

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — A man who claimed he found Rachel Morin's battered body did not find the slain mother of five and has no firsthand knowledge of the crime, the Harford County Sheriff says.

WBAL reported Thursday afternoon that Michael Gabriszeski, who has spoken to media outlets, "did not find Rachel or witness her body. He has no firsthand knowledge of the crime scene," according to Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler.

During the weekend search for missing mom of five Rachel Morin, droves of volunteers turned out to help find her. Michael Gabriszeski, 48, told the Daily Mail he and his stepdaughter, Cecilia, found the slain Bel Air woman not far from the trail Sunday afternoon.

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

Gabriszeski said he and his stepdaughter helped search for Morin; authorities have not confirmed that. Morin's body was found in a tunnel drain not far from the trail's Williams Street entrance.

Gabriszeski told WBFF Morin's body showed head trauma; the sheriff has not described the injuries Morin suffered.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office has not offered any details as to how Morin died so as not to compromise the case, the sheriff said during a recent news conference. Morin was 5'2 and 107 pounds.

"That’s somebody's mother, somebody's daughter. She left behind five children," Gabriszeski said.

Related:

• Photos, Videos Sought From Site Where Rachel Morin's Body Was Found
• No Suspect, Motive Known In Rachel Morin Homicide: Harford Sheriff
• Memorial Walk For Slain Mom Rachel Morin Sends Message To Suspect
• Rachel Morin's Boyfriend Interviewed, Sheriff's Office Has 100+ Tips
  

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Morin's boyfriend, Richard Tobin, 27, has been interviewed by the Harford County Sheriff's Office about her death, as have many individuals who were close to her, the sheriff said.

Tobin has publicly denied any involvement in her death and has not been named a suspect by the sheriff's office.

The Harford County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page has reached more than two million people and the office has received more than 100 tips. Gahler said each tip helps bring the big picture into focus.

"Keep sending them in. Even if you think it's insignificant. It could be the key piece we're looking for," Gahler said.

Keeping the trail safe

The sheriff also noted that residents have expressed concern about using the trail, worried that someone is preying on women.

"As a husband and father of two daughters, I understand your fear. We have a heavy presence of deputies on food, bike and all terrain vehicle. The Harford County Sheriff's Foundation stopped by with a $20,000 check to purchase a second off-road utility vehicle so we have one at each end of the trail. Proactive patrols will continue into the future in an effort to keep everyone safe," Gahler said.

"This was an intentional taking of a person's life. Please know we are holding details close to help ensure a suspect is brought to justice," he continued. "Watch out for each other. Together, we will solve the crime and find the heinous coward who took Rachel Morin from her family and friends."
Memorial walk Tuesday.

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 Morin's killer.

"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.

During an earlier news conference, Gahler said Morin headed out on Old Emmorton Road around 6 p.m. Saturday 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."

Help the family with GoFundMe
Morin's sister, Rebekah, has created a GoFundMe to help celebrate her life with a $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 said.