Found Deceased MD - Rachel Morin, 37, left for walk on Ma & Pa Trail 6pm, car found at Williams St entrance, Bel Air, 5 Aug 2023

[Knox]

As Rachel was in a new relationship IMO I doubt she would agree to meet somebody from a dating site on the day of her murder.

One thing I’ve learned in being here so long. Never say never … people do surprising things.

 

[StarryStarryNight]

"Do you ever think about getting raped on the running trail?" I asked. "Does it ever cross your mind?" It wasn't a confrontational question, but a curious one.

He looked surprised for a second, then shook his head. "No. Never," he said.

We sat in silence for a second as the obvious sunk in. When I run alone, I do think about that possibility. I think about it every time. I know every part of the trail that's obscured from public view, the parts where I run a little faster, where my spatial awareness is heightened. When a man runs behind me or towards me, my radar goes up. It happens automatically. I don't assume anyone is a rapist, of course, but I'm always mentally prepared for the possibility. After a million stories and a lifetime living in a woman's body, my instinct to prepare for the worst is as natural as breathing.

My husband experiences almost none of this. The possibility of being attacked and/or raped exists for him, but the risk and the fear is nowhere near the same as it is for me. He can enjoy a solo run, or walk down the street, or leave a building alone without being on guard constantly, whereas the times that I'm able to truly free my mind when I'm moving through the world by myself are few and far between.
…
If you're a man reading this and feeling defensive, please don't. We know it's not all men. If you're a man reading this and wondering what you can do to help, thank you for asking. Here are some things you can do to help women feel safer:

- If you're walking behind a woman, crossing the street is one way to let her know you're not purposefully following her

- If you're walking toward a woman, moving over to the opposite side of the walkway and giving her a wide berth is helpful

- As silly as it might sound, a verbal acknowledgment of your awareness of the situation can be helpful. I've had men say something like, "Just want to let you know I'm walking here behind you, but I promise I'm not following you or anything creepy!" and found it comforting.

- If a woman friend asks you to escort her somewhere, don't make her feel like she's being silly. Also, don't assume she's hitting on you.

- If you see a woman who appears to be uncomfortable with a man in a public place, you can give her a potential "out" by calling to her like you know her. Something like, "Katie! Is that you?" can be enough to let her (and the potentially problematic guy) know that you've got your eye on the situation.

- If you're out in public and a woman comes up and acts like you're a friend of hers, play along. Sometimes women will do this to get away from a creepy guy.

- Speak up when other men make sexist or inappropriate comments about women. Don't go along with the culture that allows women to be seen primarily as sexualized objects.

Women are sharing the mental checklists they run through to navigate the world. It's a lot.

I once asked my husband if he ever worries about being raped while running. His response was an epiphany for both of us.

www.upworthy.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1369717799841595396

https://twitter.com/HarrietEJohnson

This is extraordinary. Thank you for this.
Every woman’s truth.

 

[Inthedetails]

There are some that offer the option apparently (Tinder, Match), but it's by no means a screening tool. In what I've seen there are a limited number of free ones or a nominal fee to do so, and obviously the one who wants to run the background check incurs that cost (although it's much cheaper than a standard background check) and has to choose to do so.

Maybe WS could offer a forum - tell us about your potential dating-app date and we'll advise.

In this particular case, I think the dating app aspect is a red herring. I don't think she met a new person at the trail and I don't think an old flame accosted her there either. But that's just speculation on my part.

jmo

 

[Alkali13]

Maybe WS could offer a forum - tell us about your potential dating app date and we'll advise.

In this particular case, I think the dating app aspect is a red herring. I don't think she met a new person at the trail and I don't think an old flame accosted her there either. But that's just speculation on my part.

jmo

I think the latter personally... Just because she was on a bunch of dating apps doesn't mean she was ACTIVE on a bunch of dating apps. Based on the statistics someone shared recently though, it does seem like it could have been random, but I'm still leaning towards someone she knew.

 

[CaptRenault]

Here are three Google Maps aerial photo views showing the length of the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail. According to reports, Ms. Morin apparently parked in the parking area near the green icon in the upper right of the first photo. That lot is next to Williams St. in Bel Air.

The trees along the trail are very dense and the trail is isolated starting at the parking lot and stretching almost all the way along the trail. As far as I can see, the trail ends at another parking lot next to County Home Rd. shown in the third photo.

I don't know where is the location where Ms. Morin's body was found. Maybe someone can specify that.

 

[NextSprint]

Here are three Google Maps aerial photo views showing the length of the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail. According to reports, Ms. Morin apparently parked in the parking area near the green icon in the upper right of the first photo. That lot is next to Williams St. in Bel Air.

I would say those trees are very dense and the trail is very isolated starting at the parking lot and stretching almost all the way along the trail. As far as I can see, the trail ends at another parking lot next to County Home Rd. shown in the third photo.

I don't know where would be the location in these photos where Ms. Morin's body was found. Maybe someone can specify that.

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Your pics make it glaringly obvious; Highway 1 is the answer to this. IMO.

 

[bestill]

"Do you ever think about getting raped on the running trail?" I asked. "Does it ever cross your mind?" It wasn't a confrontational question, but a curious one.

He looked surprised for a second, then shook his head. "No. Never," he said.

We sat in silence for a second as the obvious sunk in. When I run alone, I do think about that possibility. I think about it every time. I know every part of the trail that's obscured from public view, the parts where I run a little faster, where my spatial awareness is heightened. When a man runs behind me or towards me, my radar goes up. It happens automatically. I don't assume anyone is a rapist, of course, but I'm always mentally prepared for the possibility. After a million stories and a lifetime living in a woman's body, my instinct to prepare for the worst is as natural as breathing.

My husband experiences almost none of this. The possibility of being attacked and/or raped exists for him, but the risk and the fear is nowhere near the same as it is for me. He can enjoy a solo run, or walk down the street, or leave a building alone without being on guard constantly, whereas the times that I'm able to truly free my mind when I'm moving through the world by myself are few and far between.
…
If you're a man reading this and feeling defensive, please don't. We know it's not all men. If you're a man reading this and wondering what you can do to help, thank you for asking. Here are some things you can do to help women feel safer:

- If you're walking behind a woman, crossing the street is one way to let her know you're not purposefully following her

- If you're walking toward a woman, moving over to the opposite side of the walkway and giving her a wide berth is helpful

- As silly as it might sound, a verbal acknowledgment of your awareness of the situation can be helpful. I've had men say something like, "Just want to let you know I'm walking here behind you, but I promise I'm not following you or anything creepy!" and found it comforting.

- If a woman friend asks you to escort her somewhere, don't make her feel like she's being silly. Also, don't assume she's hitting on you.

- If you see a woman who appears to be uncomfortable with a man in a public place, you can give her a potential "out" by calling to her like you know her. Something like, "Katie! Is that you?" can be enough to let her (and the potentially problematic guy) know that you've got your eye on the situation.

- If you're out in public and a woman comes up and acts like you're a friend of hers, play along. Sometimes women will do this to get away from a creepy guy.

- Speak up when other men make sexist or inappropriate comments about women. Don't go along with the culture that allows women to be seen primarily as sexualized objects.

Women are sharing the mental checklists they run through to navigate the world. It's a lot.

I once asked my husband if he ever worries about being raped while running. His response was an epiphany for both of us.

www.upworthy.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1369717799841595396

https://twitter.com/HarrietEJohnson

This is truth! Even going shopping you are constantly looking around, especially if it's a mall or big parking lot. I notice what type car is parked beside me before I start walking back to mine. If I'm out a night along and leaving a venue and see a couple going to the parking lot I will ask them if I can walk with them so I have someone with me closer to my car. Sad reality.

All jmo

 

[Dotta]

Dbm

 

[Arkay]

As silly as it might sound, a verbal acknowledgment of your awareness of the situation can be helpful. I've had men say something like, "Just want to let you know I'm walking here behind you, but I promise I'm not following you or anything creepy!" and found it comforting

Thank you for posting this in its entirety.

I do not enjoy running, but as a woman who’s lived all her life in NYC, I deeply relate to all of this.

This one part is the only section that for me doesn’t feel right. I’m sure other women feel differently, but my antennae would go up if a man told me “don’t worry, I’m not a creep.”
I‘d much prefer he’d just cross the street away from me.

I used to try to explain this to my ex-husband, and then to boyfriends and male friends ever since. They nod but they do not get it. I always tell them that as men they stride through the world, oblivious to the 1001 ways women seek to stay safe if out alone.

I went through all this in my youth and even now at 65 have been harassed by men in the street. I’ve gone over this with my daughter and now my eldest granddaughter who is 18

I am very unclear on who I think murdered Rachel, whether someone from her past, someone random, or someone possessive of her.

.
My heart breaks that a mother of five likely did all the tricks we use to keep safe, and yet was murdered. In a busy place during daylight hours.


JMO and experience.

 

[Inthedetails]

Thank you for posting this in its entirety.

I do not enjoy running, but as a woman who’s lived all her life in NYC, I deeply relate to all of this.

This one part is the only section that for me doesn’t feel right. I’m sure other women feel differently, but my antennae would go up if a man told me “don’t worry, I’m not a creep.”
I‘d much prefer he’d just cross the street away from me.

I used to try to explain this to my ex-husband, and then to boyfriends and male friends ever since. They nod but they do not get it. I always tell them that as men they stride through the world, oblivious to the 1001 ways women seek to stay safe if out alone.

I am very unclear on who I think murdered Rachel, whether someone from her past, someone random, or someone possessive of her.

I went through all this in my youth and even now at 65 have been harassed by men in the street. I’ve gone over this with my daughter and now my eldest granddaughter who is 18.

My heart breaks that a mother of five likely did all the tricks we use to keep safe, and yet was murdered. In a busy place during daylight hours.


JMO and experience.

Fellow NYCer here and I totally agree. Men do not need to tell me they are not following me or that they aren't a creep. Just don't be one - that's enough.

jmo

 

[darmela]

Here are three Google Maps aerial photo views showing the length of the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail. According to reports, Ms. Morin apparently parked in the parking area near the green icon in the upper right of the first photo. That lot is next to Williams St. in Bel Air.

The trees along the trail are very dense and the trail is isolated starting at the parking lot and stretching almost all the way along the trail. As far as I can see, the trail ends at another parking lot next to County Home Rd. shown in the third photo.

I don't know where is the location where Ms. Morin's body was found. Maybe someone can specify that.

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Thanks for these maps! I noticed something called Anna's House to the left of the Bel Air Bypass and near the trail. When I looked it up it said it was a homeless shelter. It got me thinking that maybe the perp was someone staying at that house. Just a thought for what it's worth... P.S. Sorry if it's been mentioned already!

 

[Inthedetails]

Thanks for these maps! I noticed something called Anna's House to the left of the Bel Air Bypass and near the trail. When I looked it up it said it was a homeless shelter. It got me thinking that maybe the perp was someone staying at that house. Just a thought for what it's worth... P.S. Sorry if it's been mentioned already!

I think it's a shelter for women, but some people think the attacker might be a woman. (I think it's a man.)

jmo

 

[bestill]

I wish we knew more of Rachel's habits, such as her normal run length and speed, did she have routine or change it up, etc... I also wish we had an official update! JMO

 

[imstilla.grandma]

This is truth! Even going shopping you are constantly looking around, especially if it's a mall or big parking lot. I notice what type car is parked beside me before I start walking back to mine. If I'm out a night along and leaving a venue and see a couple going to the parking lot I will ask them if I can walk with them so I have someone with me closer to my car. Sad reality.

All jmo

I worry so and fret over my older granddaughter at night. She’s 22, a cutie and District Mgr of an OnCue franchise. She has to go in bad areas sometimes at night to cover. I’m just afraid someone is gonna grab her when she closes. Same with my younger at 16. I don’t worry as much as some might though. We have perfected Stranger Danger over the years starting as soon as they could play the game and talk. Now, I feel sorry for someone that comes at either of them. They will kick *** and take names. Soon I’ll teach my great, she’s 2. When we all get together they still ask grandma to play R rated sometimes. I tell it like it is and keep it real. Always…

On my fridge:

 

[Inthedetails]

I wish we knew more of Rachel's habits, such as her normal run length and speed, did she have routine or change it up, etc... I also wish we had an official update! JMO

With LE not asking the public for any tips or info they might have, I'm thinking there is action going on behind the scenes.

I hope that is not wishful thinking.

jmo

 

[Vaderman]

Thank you for posting this in its entirety.

I do not enjoy running, but as a woman who’s lived all her life in NYC, I deeply relate to all of this.

This one part is the only section that for me doesn’t feel right. I’m sure other women feel differently, but my antennae would go up if a man told me “don’t worry, I’m not a creep.”
I‘d much prefer he’d just cross the street away from me.

I used to try to explain this to my ex-husband, and then to boyfriends and male friends ever since. They nod but they do not get it. I always tell them that as men they stride through the world, oblivious to the 1001 ways women seek to stay safe if out alone.

I went through all this in my youth and even now at 65 have been harassed by men in the street. I’ve gone over this with my daughter and now my eldest granddaughter who is 18

I am very unclear on who I think murdered Rachel, whether someone from her past, someone random, or someone possessive of her.

.
My heart breaks that a mother of five likely did all the tricks we use to keep safe, and yet was murdered. In a busy place during daylight hours.


JMO and experience.

When I'm out running or cycling and am coming upon someone I'll generally give a polite "on your right/left!" so as to not startle them. Is this more of an acceptable way to go about it? Or is it still better to just steer clear? I try to be an ally and am always willing to learn.

I really do think it sucks that women can't enjoy normal, day to day activities without being on the edge.

 

[Inthedetails]

When I'm out running or cycling and am coming upon someone I'll generally give a polite "on your right/left!" so as to not startle them. Is this more of an acceptable way to go about it? Or is it still better to just steer clear? I try to be an ally and am always willing to learn.

I really do think it sucks that women can't enjoy normal, day to day activities without being on the edge.

My husband cycles and that is how he does it when passing someone. I think that's cycling etiquette and it's not scary, at least to me.

jmo

 

[imstilla.grandma]

With all due respect, I doubt that you will find any "popular widely used dating apps" (that is what I specified in my comment) that use criminal background checks as a screening method. So I am talking about Match, eHarmony, JDate, OurTime, Plenty of Fish, OK Cupid, Tinder, Seeking, Bumble, Facebook, etc.

There are some niche dating sites that use human matchmakers to match people. Unlike all the popular sites, such sites charge substantial fees, have many fewer users and some might do background checks. But it is likely that Ms. Morin was using the popular, mainstream sites that I mentioned and those sites do not do background checks.

Of course, once you have a person's legal name, address and age, you can order and pay for your own background check (the cost varies between $25-50). I doubt very much that Ms. Morin was doing that.

I misspoke and didn’t give your post the attention it deserved. I’m sorry. I’m almost 70 years old and I’ve only heard of a couple of those you named. I saw some articles talking about it as I was speedreading at the time. I’ve been married almost 50 years so I’m definitely out of my lane. You’re right.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

I wish we knew more of Rachel's habits, such as her normal run length and speed, did she have routine or change it up, etc... I also wish we had an official update! JMO

I think the perp might surprise us. I’m going with she was probably naked so I hope her clothing was found for evidence. This tanning salon, glow something. I wonder how often she went there. I get a strange vibe…

 

[Mica]

Here are three Google Maps aerial photo views showing the length of the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail. According to reports, Ms. Morin apparently parked in the parking area near the green icon in the upper right of the first photo. That lot is next to Williams St. in Bel Air.

The trees along the trail are very dense and the trail is isolated starting at the parking lot and stretching almost all the way along the trail. As far as I can see, the trail ends at another parking lot next to County Home Rd. shown in the third photo.

I don't know where is the location where Ms. Morin's body was found. Maybe someone can specify that.

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View attachment 440911


View attachment 440912

From a previous map I’ve seen the area I marked with a red X is where it is suspected Rachel was found.