Search warrant reveals new details in lawyer's death at DC hotel

New court documents are providing new details in the murder of a lawyer at an upscale D.C. hotel.

David Messerschmitt was found stabbed to death inside a fourth floor room at The Donovan Hotel on Feb. 10.

Messerschmitt's wife reported him missing early that morning after she last saw her husband two nights before.

A search warrant affidavit shows D.C. Police's Missing Person's Unit called the hotel and confirmed that the 30-year-old was staying at the hotel in Room 400.

Hotel management went to the room to check on his welfare and found Messerschmitt lying face down on the floor with apparent stab wounds to the back and displaying no signs of life.

According to the document, officers found blood on the floor, walls and the door of the room. A wallet was found next to Messerschmitt with various credit cards and identifying documents spread throughout the room.

The affidavit says credit cards, an HP computer, lubricant, condom, enema, cell phone, bedding, watch, towel, curtain and swabs were some of the evidence seized in the search. Fingerprints were also found in the room.

Last week, D.C. police released surveillance video and photographs of a person of interest seen coming into the hotel and walking up some stairs at around 7:40 p.m. Monday.

It is unclear if this person is a male or female, but two sources familiar with the investigation say the prevailing theory is the person is a woman.

The person of interest is dressed in what appears to be snow pants or rain gear, a heavy coat with hood and gloves.

Messerschmitt worked as an intellectual property lawyer for the firm DLA Piper. He was married and came to Washington D.C. after earning degrees at Ohio State University and Boston University School of Law.