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A Maryland man has been arrested after his wife disappeared 24 years ago.
Michelle Rust She disappeared from her home in Arbutus in July 2002, aged 24.
More than twenty years later, her husband Dwight “DJ” Rust Jr.Baltimore County police confirmed in a statement that she was arrested on suspicion of disappearance on Tuesday, April 21. statement.
Dwight, 48, reported Michelle missing on the afternoon of July 20, 2002, and authorities were called to the couple’s home to investigate. He allegedly told responding officers that Michelle had gone to the store earlier that morning to shop for their son’s upcoming third birthday party, but she never came home.
Michele Hundley Smith was 38 years old when she left her home in Eden, North Carolina, on December 9, 2001, telling her family that she was going Christmas shopping at a Kmart department store in Martinsville, Virginia. She never came back, and her husband and three children were left wondering whether she was dead or alive (…)
Authorities began a search and Michelle’s father-in-law found her car in the nearby town of Lansdowne. After inspecting the vehicle, police said the key on the driver’s side door had been broken off.
Investigators interviewed several witnesses and learned that Michelle was never seen leaving the home that morning, and no one reported seeing her driving a vehicle.
Additionally, investigators found no financial activity in her bank accounts following her disappearance. Because of this discovery and the fact that she relied on medication to treat her diabetes, police speculated that she was the victim of murder. Her friends and family also told police that the situation was out of character for her because she would not leave her 3-year-old child behind.
It’s unclear what evidence links Dwight to the crime. However, police have previously said they have never ruled out anyone other than Michelle’s parents as suspects.
In light of Dwight’s recent arrest, he has been charged with first-degree murder. During a court appearance on Wednesday, April 22, the judge ordered Dwight to remain jailed without bail.
Dwight’s defense attorney reportedly shared insights into the case at a press conference, where he said he had “heard no theory or any factual evidence that Mr. Rush was involved in the disappearance of his wife, Michelle.” world bank.
It’s unclear whether Dwight has entered a plea. There was no immediate response from the Baltimore County Police Department. US WeeklyRequesting comment on an ongoing case.
Officials never gave up on Michelle’s case, and Baltimore County detectives worked with a team of Towson University forensic students to search the Rusters’ home in 2023 for evidence.
“We’re here today doing ground penetrating radar just to try to get any information related to her disappearance,” Dana CarterBaltimore County police told WBAL-TV 11 News at the time.
