Who was Cara Abbruscato? Person of interest arrested in NJ after Virginia mother is found dead in a makeshift tent
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA: A Virginia mother was found dead in a makeshift tent at a campground, and police authorities have arrested a person of interest in New Jersey after he drove off from the scene in her car.
Cara Abbruscato, 41, was found in a lifeless state around 3 pm Saturday, September 30, underneath a tarp that was tied to a tree to make a tent in Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD), Abbruscato had stab wounds and lacerations to her upper body, but her official cause of death would be revealed after an autopsy test, NBC Washington reports.
Rami El Sayed was arrested and charged with second-degree murder
Rami El Sayed was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Abbruscato’s death in Paterson, New Jersey, early Monday, the FCPD explained.
Authorities were able to trace El Sayed who drove off in Abbruscato’s car, to the Garden State by tracking the vehicle’s license plate, DC News Now reported.
The suspect is now being extradited back to Fairfax County.
According to Fox 5, FCPD Major Jeff Reiff said on Monday, October 2, that investigators believe that Abbruscato and El Sayed met a few days before the alleged killing.
“Surveillance video from the park had put them together at various different points in the last seven [to] 10 days,” he explained.
Cara Abbruscato was previously reported as missing
Abbruscato was previously reported missing on September 3 when authorities said she was “endangered due to mental &/or physical health concerns,” a previous statement from the FCPD indicated. She was found safe later that day, the post stated.
Cara Abbruscato and El Sayed appeared to be in a romantic relationship
One man camping in Burke Lake Park said he came across the victim shortly before her death, and that she told him she was previously reported missing and had a record for narcotics possession, NBC Washington reported.
She seemed like she was “turning a new leaf in life,” the camper said, adding that Abbruscato and El Sayed appeared to be in a romantic relationship.
He did not suspect anything when the pair’s vehicles disappeared, the man told the outlet and also no weapons were found at the crime scene, police have said.
Authorities have asked anyone with information about the case or who may have been at Burke Lake Park around the time of Abbruscato’s death to come forward.
