BY REBECCA BENNETT — According to the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD), the body of 20-year-old Catherine Alvarado from Chillum was discovered Jan. 1 along the Northwest Branch Trail.
PGPD said officers found the victim suffering from upper body trauma when they were called for a welfare check at 7:20 a.m. She was pronounced dead on the scene, which was just outside of the City of Hyattsville in the 6100 block of Ager Road near Rosa Parks Elementary School. Homicide detectives do not believe her murder was a random act and they are working to identify the suspects and a motive.
Police told WJLA they believe the victim was either killed along the trail or her body was dumped there late Thursday night or early Friday morning. The Washington Post reported authorities told them that when a man jogged by, he could clearly see her body. WUSA9 said police told them the victim’s body was not dressed in workout clothes and it was unlikely that she was exercising.
A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest in this case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 301.772.4925.
