Phylicia Barnes' death ruled homicide
The death of Phylicia Barnes, whose body was recovered from the Susquehanna River last month after she disappeared in December, has been ruled a homicide. Barnes, who was 16 when she disappeared, had been the focus of one of the largest missing persons investigations in the city in years.
Maryland State Police declined to release a cause of death, saying it would jeopardize their investigation. Here is their statement:
As Maryland State Police and Baltimore Police Department homicide detectives continue their investigation into the death of Phylicia Barnes, the Office of Chief Medical Examiner has released her body to her family for burial.
The autopsy conducted by the Office of Chief Medical Examiner determined the manner of death to be homicide. A cause of death was also determined, but police investigators are not releasing that information because it is an important part of the ongoing investigation. To release a cause of death at this time could jeopardize the investigation by revealing information known only to the person or persons responsible for her death. The cause of death will be made public at an appropriate time in the future.
The investigation is active and ongoing. No one has been charged in connection with the death of Phylicia Barnes. Maryland State Police homicide investigators continue to work out of the Baltimore Police Homicide Unit, alongside detectives there who have been working the Barnes case since her disappearance on December 28, 2010. FBI special agents are also continuing to assist this task force with the investigation
Police continue to urge anyone with information regarding the murder of Phylicia Barnes to contact them immediately. Persons with information may call the TIPS Line that has been established since Barnes disappeared at 1-855-223-0033. Or, they can call the Maryland State Police duty officer at 410-653-4200. Calls may be kept confidential.
