Police Seek Answers In Unsolved 1996 Case

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — The Baltimore County Police Department is putting out a call to the public for any information they may have on a murder case that dates back to the late '90s.

At the center of the case is Joann "Jody" Elizabeth LeCornu, a 23-year-old woman who was found dead from a gunshot wound inside her car on March 2, 1996, near what is now known as the Anneslie Shopping Center.

In a Monday release, the department said officers had been called at that time to the 6300 block of York Road just before 4 a.m. for reports of a shooting.

The call had been made by a Giant employee who told Baltimore County dispatchers that she heard gunshots, and that a man had left the scene in a white BMW.

Further investigation by police determined that LeCornu had started her night at the Mount Washington Tavern before leaving for the Curb Shoppe Bar in the 5700 block of Falls Road. She later drove into the parking lot of the shopping center, where she was approached by a man who police say later shot her.

"It is not known exactly how long the suspect spent at the vehicle or if there was any interaction with LeCornu," police said in the release. "But at some point, he shot LeCornu once in the back while she was seated inside her car."

While LeCornu did try to get away by driving across the road, the individual followed her across the street. After LeCornu's car came to a full stop, the man parked behind her Honda sedan and took an item from the car.

While fingerprints were lifted from the inside of the car, none helped to identify a suspect.

Police said the person of interest in the case has been described as a Black man with a stocky build who was wearing "a drab or green-colored army or camouflage style coat."

"Detectives believe that the suspect would not have been able to keep the incident to himself and that someone has information that would help solve this case," the release notes.

Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact the Metro Crime Stoppers online or by calling 1-866-756-2587. Information provided may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.