Montgomery Co. police need help to identify homicide victim

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. - Montgomery County police are asking for the public's help to identify a homicide victim who was found in a shallow grave in the Great Seneca Stream Valley Park in Gaithersburg.

The victim was located off the Greenway Trail, approximately 200 yards from Watkins Mill Road, the morning of August 29. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide because there was trauma to the upper body. Authorities say the body had been in the shallow grave for less than six months. They do not know if the homicide occurred at the Gaithersburg location.

Police describe the victim as a Caucasian or Hispanic male in his late teens to 20s. Photos of the victim's clothing and personal belongings are being released in hopes that someone may recognize the items.

Anyone who has information regarding the identity of the victim or information about his personal effects is asked to call police at 301-279-8000 or Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).