Slain Mom Rachel Morin's Boyfriend Interviewed, Harford Sheriff Receives 100+ Tips

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — The boyfriend of 37-year-old Rachel Morin has been interviewed by the Harford County Sheriff's Office about the mother of five's murder. Meanwhile, investigators continue to weed through more than 100 tips they've received from the community.

Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler on Wednesday afternoon credited residents with providing more than 100 tips that are still flowing into the sheriff's office to help advance the investigation into who Morin's killer might be. He also said Marin's boyfriend, Richard Tobin, 27, has been interviewed, along with numerous other people who were close to Rachel. Tobin has publicly denied any involvement in her death and has not been named a suspect by the sheriff's office.

"It's been four days since Rachel Morin went missing and three days since her body was located ... Ten investigators assigned to the criminal investigations division are working around the clock. Detectives, forensic investigators and crime analysts are scouring every detail to put together the pieces of a comprehensive timeline," Gahler said at the news conference. "The way an investigation is conducted is to start with people in her close inner circle and those who have known her well."

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 was 5'2 and 107 pounds, and left her Bel Air 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

The Harford County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page has reached more than two million people. 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.

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

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 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.

Stay safe on the trail

During a previously held 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.

Help the family with GoFundMe

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.