Fairfax County Police continue to search for the body and the killer of a 35-year-old Alexandria woman, presumed murdered.
Hannah Choi was last seen on March 5 at her home in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria.
Choi’s live-in ex-boyfriend, Joel Mosso Merino, 27, is wanted for second-degree murder and disposal of a body. Merino has apparently fled the state, police said. The United States Marshals Service is now involved in finding Merino.
Choi’s friends grew worried on March 6 when she did not answer the door after they arrived at her home. Choi had also missed several appointments.
Fairfax County police arrived at Choi’s home after being notified by her friends. Police noted that the house seemed to be in order, except for bedding that appeared to be missing from a bedroom.
On March 7, police found a vehicle in Washington, DC, that they believe Merino was driving the night of Choi’s disappearance. In a search warrant conducted on the vehicle, detectives found evidence to suggest that Choi was harmed prior to her disappearance. Based on the evidence found in the vehicle and additional interviews, detectives obtained a warrant for Merino.
“… We know something bad happened — really bad. And we have evidence and details that make us firmly believe without any doubt that she’s deceased,” said FCPD Maj. Ed O’Carroll.
In a news conference Tuesday, Fairfax County police Chief Kevin Davis said they believe Merino killed Choi inside their shared home, before moving her body to Piscataway Park in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Police’s search at the park for Choi’s body is ongoing.
This is the sixth homicide in Fairfax County this year, double the number of homicides at this time last year in the county.
Fairfax County police ask anyone with more information on this case to call them at 703-246 7800. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Fairfax County Crime Solvers at 866-411-8477.
Feature image, vmargineanu/stock.adobe.com
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