The Murder of Janell Balogun

Source: Baltimore County

Janell Balogun was only 33 years-old when she was found murdered on June 10th, 2012. It was shortly before 10:30 AM when a bicyclist spotted a woman lying in a wooded area of the Oella neighborhood in Catonsville, Maryland. Police were called to the scene, and it was quickly determined that the woman was deceased.

The deceased woman did not have any identification on her when her body was found. As such, fingerprints were used to determine that the woman was Janell Erlita Balogun - a mother of 3 from Baltimore County. Investigators also noted that Janell's body did not have any immediately obvious signs of trauma. However, an autopsy later determined that Janell's death was caused by trauma to the upper body. The case was labeled a homicide.

Janell's death has been inevitably devastating and baffling to her loved ones. Shortly after the news broke, Janell's sister told reporters that the area in which her body was found was "not an area that she would be in." It seems as if Janell's body was placed there in an attempt to conceal her death, as she was found lying behind a short wall adjacent to the road. 

In that same report, a public appeal was made for anyone with information to come forward. A detective from the Baltimore County police stated, "we are reaching out to anyone in the Oella community who may have seen or heard anything unusual, and also anyone who has had contact with this victim who may be able to provide some insight into why she was killed."

Over a decade has passed, and Janell's murder remains unsolved. No persons of interest or suspects have been publicly announced, nor have there been any recent updates in the case. A monetary reward is being offered in exchange for information that could help solve Janell's case. If you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact Baltimore County Police at 410-887-3943 or submit a tip online. 

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Sources:
Baltimore County Police
CBS News
Metro Crime Stoppers