Monday marks 1 year since Fairfax Co. woman went missing; murder suspect still wanted
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (7News) — Monday marks one year since Fairfax County woman Hannah Choi vanished; 18 days later her remains were found.
The family of 35-year-old Choi said she was reported missing on March 6, 2022, after she was last seen around 7 a.m. on March 5, 2022, at the home she shared with her ex-boyfriend 27-year-old Joel Mosso Merino.
Choi's remains were found in Piscataway Park in Prince George's County, Md. on the morning of March 24, 2022, Fairfax County confirmed.
RELATED | Court docs reveal the chilling timeline leading up to Hannah Choi's death
An affidavit for a search warrant filed in Fairfax County court showed how a detective pieced together the case.
According to the affidavit, police first responded to Choi's home in the 5300 block of Jesmond Street on March 6 for a missing person report. The caller told police that she was supposed to meet Choi to stage the Alexandria home for sale. Not only was Hannah not home, the woman told police she missed an earlier appointment at work. Hannah also wasn't responding to calls or texts.
The woman told police when she couldn't get a hold of Hannah, she went behind the home and found the sliding glass door open. When she went inside, she found blood on Hannah's bed. Police checked with family and friends of Hannah and no one heard from her, court documents said.
Read the full timeline details here.
Fairfax County police continue to look for Merino, who was charged in Choi's murder. He is being charged with second-degree murder and the disposal of a body.
RELATED | Fairfax Co. police believe they know location of suspect in Hannah Choi murder
Police said Merino did not have a criminal history prior to this case. In the days following Choi’s disappearance last year, Fairfax County police detectives called Merino "Fairfax County's most wanted."
"He's on the run. He's desperate and desperate people are prone to violence," police said last year.
Anyone with information can call local authorities. Submit tips through 1-866-411-TIPS or online here.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, call the National Domestic Abuse Hotline at 800-799-7233.
