Missing Kingstowne Woman's Remains Found, $40,000 Reward Offered For Suspect Arrest

KINGSTOWNE, VA — The remains of missing Kingstowne woman Hannah Choi were found in Maryland as Fairfax County Police announced a new reward for the arrest of the suspect in her killing.

Last Thursday, the remains of Hannah Choi, 35, were found in the Charles County, Maryland part of Piscataway Park. Joel Mosso Merino, 27, an ex-boyfriend who lived with Choi, is wanted on warrants for second-degree murder and the disposal of a body.

A $40,000 reward is offered for his arrest thanks to donations from Choi's family, friends and community. A GoFundMe account started by Hannah Choi's sister Minna Choi supported the reward for Merino's arrest. Extra funds will support legal funds and expenses for the case, a memorial for Choi, and support for the nonprofit KAN-WIN.

Maj. Ed O'Carroll, commander of the Major Crimes Bureau, urged Merino to turn himself in.

"Joel is Fairfax County's most wanted, and he is on the run," O'Carroll said in a Monday news conference. "We will not stop until we find Merino."

Minna Choi asked anyone with information on the alleged killer to come forward and thanked the community for the support since her sister went missing.

"We will always remember her as someone who's brave, strong, independent and someone who dedicated her life to helping others," said Minna Choi. "Hannah's been taken away from us and from everyone who loves her...I cannot begin to describe how much we're all going to miss her."

Choi has been missing since March 5 in the 5300 block of Jesmond Street in the Kingstowne area. She was reported missing the next day after friends went to her house.

A passerby had found the remains in Piscataway Park Thursday, police say. Search and rescue teams had been extensively searching the 800-acre park based on information found during the investigation. The remains were identified as Choi, police say. Autopsy results are pending.

When Choi was reported missing, police searched her house and found nothing out of place except missing bedding, Lt. Erin Weeks said at Monday's news conference. According to investigations, Choi was with Merino the evening she went missing. Police believe she was injured and Merino took her body to Charles County, Maryland.

The vehicle Merino drove was found in DC on March 7. Police found evidence suggesting Choi was hurt before she went missing, according to Weeks.

Police learned Merino never showed up to a scheduled flight out of Reagan National Airport on March 8. Police determined Merino left Virginia, and the U.S. Marshals Service got involved with the search.

"The family deserves closure," Weeks said. "This is a case where a violent offender needs to be held accountable. We need your help to do this."

Police are seeking information on where Merino could be living, staying or hiding. O'Carroll said Merino was seen on video surveillance in the Atlanta area, but information is needed on where he went next.

Information can be reported to the Major Crimes Bureau to 703-246-7800 or www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org.