A 41-year-old woman was found dead on September 30 in a makeshift tent at Burke Lake Park, Fairfax Station, Virginia, sparking an investigation that led to an arrest in New Jersey.
Cara Abbruscato suffered stab wounds and lacerations to her upper body. Although the official cause of death awaits autopsy results, the circumstances of her death raised alarms.
Not long after the discovery, authorities tracked down and arrested a man named Rami El Sayed in Paterson, New Jersey. El Sayed was seen driving Abbruscato’s car away from the park, which led police to his location. The connection between the victim and the suspect seems to have been recent. Surveillance videos captured at the park showed the two together several times during the week preceding the incident.
Abbruscato was reported missing earlier in September, raising concerns about her mental health. However, she was found safe later the same day. A camper at the site recalled speaking with the victim, and said mentioned her history of narcotics possession and appeared to be in a romantic relationship with El Sayed.