Missing Greenbelt Teacher Found Dead, Man In Custody: Police

GREENBELT, MD — A University Park man is facing murder charges after police confirmed Friday that human remains found in Clinton were missing Prince George's County teacher Mariame Toure Sylla, according to authorities.

Sylla, 59, of Greenbelt, was last seen around 8 p.m. July 29 near her home in the 6500 block of Lake Park Drive. The Dora Kennedy French Immersion School third-grade teacher told her son she was going for a walk before sunset prayer, but never returned.

Prince George's County police said human remains were found Aug. 1 near the 7300 block of Old Alexandria Ferry Road in Clinton. DNA testing confirmed the remains were Sylla, police said.

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An autopsy is underway to determine her cause of death, police said. Investigators are also working to determine where and when she was murdered.

Police arrested 33-year-old Harold Francis Landon III in connection with Sylla's death. According to police, Landon has been in police custody since Aug. 1 on an unrelated assault charge.

Landon was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Sylla's death, police said. According to police, Sylla and Landon did not know each other and a motive remains under investigation.

“Ms. Sylla was a beloved teacher and member of the Greenbelt community. Her murder is tragic," Chief Malik Aziz said in a statement. "We hope the arrest of Landon provides some comfort to her family and all who knew and loved her."

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation should call detectives at 301-516-2512.