Man Wanted On Murder Charge In Missing Kingstowne Woman's Case: Police

KINGSTOWNE, VA — Fairfax County police said a man is wanted on a murder charge in relation to a missing woman from Kingstowne. The case is being treated as a homicide, the sixth in the county this year.

Hannah Choi, 35, was last seen around 7 a.m. on March 5 in the 5300 block of Jesmond Street in the Kingstowne area, police said.

The wanted man is Joel Mosso Merino, 27, an ex-boyfriend who lived with Choi on Jesmond Street. Merino is wanted on warrants for second-degree murder and the disposal of a body.

Detectives believe Choi may have been significantly injured when she was with Merino and he took her from the home to another location.

"She was the victim of foul play. She was the victim of violence, the victim of murder, and we know the suspect," said Major Ed O'Carroll, commander of the Fairfax County Police Department's Major Crimes Bureau, at a Tuesday news conference.

Choi was reported missing after friends went to her house Sunday. Choi did not answer the door, missed appointments and could not be contacted, police say. That led officers to search the home, and investigators found bedding missing from a bedroom.

After reporting Choi's disappearance, police confirmed foul play was suspected and that Major Crimes Bureau detectives were investigating.

One day after Choi went missing, detectives found a vehicle in DC they believed Merino taken Choi's body in. Detectives found evidence Choi was hurt before she went missing.

The search took police to the area around Piscataway Park in Accokeek, Maryland. Search warrants show Merino spent significant time in a park the night Choi went missing.

A two-day search was done by the police department's search and rescue, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue, George Mason University Police Department, U.S. Park Police and Mason-Dixon Search Dogs. Detectives are reviewing evidence to potentially search other locations where Choi's body may be located.

Fugitive Track and Apprehension Unit began tracking Merino and found he left the state. The U.S. Marshals Service was contacted for help in arresting Merino.

Victim specialists from the police department are assisting the victim’s family with resources.

Merino is described as 5 foot 7 and 230 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to contact Fairfax County police at 703-246-7800, option 2, or submit a tip at www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org.