Germantown jogger discovers unidentified body on trail

Germantown (Map, News) - A Germantown jogger discovered the body of black man in his 20s along a wooded trail, Montgomery County police said.

As of Friday evening, police had not released the name of the victim, who died of an apparent gunshot, as they continued to search for his family.

The body was found nestled in the grass at the juncture of the popular Seneca Trail and a trail that starts at the intersection of Midcounty Highway and Grassy Knoll Terrace. Police were still unsure of why he was there or why the man was killed.

A sign feet from where the body was found says it is two-tenths of a mile back to the intersection which leads into the upper-class neighborhood, Middlebrook Manor.

Midcounty Highway dead ends at the trail head and Middlebrook Manor residents who live only feet from the park said it’s a popular spot for dog walking, jogging and less pleasant activities: garbage dumping, and alcohol and drug consuming among them.

“There’s no lighting down there and people driving don’t always realize it’s a dead end… sometimes they drive right off the road and into the field,” said Cindy Brown who lives with her husband, Craig Brown, and two teenage sons less than a block away.

The incident has raised her concerns about the park’s safety, she said, but she already doesn’t walk her dog there at night and it’s not likely to change the family’s habits much.

However, her 16-year-old son did ask for a ride home from the far side of the neighborhood Friday afternoon, a rarity, Craig Brown said.

Eric Gonzalez, who also lives nearby, said he saw a light green Nissan Ultima with Virginia plates parked near the trailhead when he came home from work around 5 p.m. Thursday. And his daughter, Vanessa Benitez, said she watched as police photographed and then towed that car Friday morning.

Gonzalez said he’d like to know more about what happened before allowing himself to worry too much.

“It’s not good, but I’m not going to sell the house and leave, either,” he said. “I’d like to know more. Was he killed and dumped there? That’s a little different than going back there and getting his head blown off.”

fklopott@dcexaminer.com

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