A father who found Rachel Morin’s body in a tunnel revealed chilling details about the discovery – police say they received 90 tips from the public about her death.
Michael Gabriszeski, whose daughter was friends with 37-year-old Rachel, joined the search and called police when he discovered her body in a tunnel drain on Maryland’s Ma and Pa trail.
The manner in which the mother of five’s body was found prompted police to launch a murder investigation – even before formal identification of the corpse was completed.
Speaking of his search efforts, local Michael Gabriszeski told WMAR, “I got out and searched the tunnels because I had a feeling about these tunnels.
Rachel Morin, 37, was found dead on the hiking trail this weekend. No suspects have been arrested yet, but a murder investigation is ongoing
Michael Gabriszeski, whose daughter was friends with Rachel, joined the search and called police when he discovered her body in a tunnel drain on Maryland’s Ma and Pa trail
One of the tunnels on the Ma and Pa trail in Maryland. Police have not confirmed the specific location where the mother was found
“And I went forward to search the one tunnel, and they searched the one, and there they found her.
“(I hope she) can find a final resting place in her family so that door can finally be closed. (So) they can start the investigation and hopefully catch the person who committed this petty act.”
Meanwhile, police have reached out to obtain footage of people out and about over the weekend.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a statement yesterday: “Detectives are asking for your help.
“If you were on the Ma & Pa Trail on Saturday, or near the trail or trailheads and took photos or videos, we ask that you please share them with researchers.
“There may be something useful in one of your photos that can give us another piece of the puzzle.
As of this morning, we have already received nearly 90 tips from concerned members of the community regarding the murder of Rachel Morin.
One of the tunnels on the Ma and Pa trail in Maryland. Police have not confirmed the specific location where the mother was found
“Thanks for all the support you’ve given.”
Yesterday it was formally confirmed that the body was indeed Rachel’s.
Officials at the Harford County Sheriff’s Office in Bel Air, about 43 miles north of Baltimore, said they still have no leads on possible suspects.
A female corpse was discovered Sunday afternoon in Ma and Pa’s trail by a member of the public, Gabriszeski.
“Earlier this afternoon we received confirmation from the state physician that the body found was that of Rachel Morin,” said a spokeswoman for the Harford County Sheriff.
But she added that investigators have not yet identified any possible suspects as part of their murder investigation and renewed the call for new leads.
“We’re asking people if they have any information to please come forward and give that to the sheriff’s office instead of discussing it on social media,” the spokeswoman said.
Local police declined to comment on how Morin died or what kind of injuries she sustained.
It comes after her new boyfriend took to social media to insist that he had nothing to do with her murder despite his criminal past.
The couple only made their relationship official on social media four days earlier.
The coroner has not yet revealed how Morin died, but a murder investigation has been launched. Her family says she didn’t go “voluntarily” and that her death was “not accidental.”
When questions arose over the woman’s death on Sunday, Tobin took to social media to insist he had nothing to do with it.
‘I love Rachel. I would never hurt her, let the family and I grieve. Yes, I have a past but I’ve also been clean for 15 months and have changed as a person. Please.’
Tobin has been arrested 14 times since 2014 on various charges, including drug trafficking, assault, disorderly conduct, and refusal of arrest.
His long criminal record includes two arrests for second-degree assault, violating restraining orders, possession of drugs and willful destruction of property.
Tobin also has a number of traffic violations, a felony fugitive, resisting arrest and disorderly drunkenness and conduct marks on his criminal record, documents show.
The Ma and Pa Heritage Trail in Maryland, where Rachel’s body was found Sunday
Rachel Morin and Richard Tobin started dating “a few weeks ago.” She was found murdered on a hiking trail on Sunday. The pair are shown on an earlier walk together
His most recent recorded felony – second-degree assault – occurred on March 14, 2020.
In an update to their statement on Sunday, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said, “At approximately 1:07 p.m., a deceased woman was found along the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air. The identity of the victim, cause and manner of death are still under investigation.
“We are convinced that this is the body of Rachel Morin. But that final determination belongs to the medical examiner and that has not yet happened.
“Luckily we don’t have too much violent crime in Harford County, but if we do have one I prefer if I can stand here and tell you that the suspect has been arrested or if it’s a targeted crime .
“I can’t tell you that’s the case.”
“I will not comment on what they physically observed on site. But detectives unfortunately believe it to be a murder case.”
Just days before her disappearance and death, Rachel shared snaps of her and her new boyfriend Richard.
She wrote, along with two smiley face images, ‘Only started taking photos a few weeks ago.. but these are a few of my favourites. From the beach to the mountains.’
Morin was only 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighed just 107 pounds.
She was last seen wearing a blue or black tank top, black sports bra, black spandex shorts and gray sneakers.
Her car was also parked at the entrance to the path on Williams Street.