Manhunt Launched After Woman Found Dead Inside Tent at Virginia Park

Police are searching for a man of interest after a woman was found dead inside a tent at a public park in Virginia.

The body of Cara Abbruscato, 40, was discovered in Burke Lake Park, northeast Virginia, on Saturday by Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) officers shortly after they received a 911 call at about 3:09 p.m. ET.

The department has since launched a manhunt for Rami El Sayed.

A FCPD news release shared on October 1 said: "During the initial investigation, the Chief Medical Examiner's office responded to the scene and discovered evidence of trauma to the upper body. An autopsy will be completed to confirm the cause and manner of death.

"Detectives are seeking help from the community to help locate a person of interest named Rami El Sayed."

FCPD said specialists from Major Crime Bureau's Victim Services Division have been assigned "to ensure the victim's family is receiving appropriate resources and assistance."

Officers also shared a photo of the tent where Abbruscato's remains were found, and asked whether anyone had noticed the makeshift shelter in the park between September 19 and 30. Police did not state how long they believed Abbruscato's body had been in the tent before she was discovered on Saturday.

Newsweek reached out to the Fairfax County Police Department via email for comment.

Burke Lake encompasses 888 acres, according to the Fairfax County website, and is a popular location for visitors. The park is known for its 4.7-mile lake trail and campgrounds, as well as being a place for fishing, boating, and biking.

According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), there are 521 resolved missing persons cases in Virginia. NamUs also stated there are currently 358 open missing persons cases across the Commonwealth and 23,766 open missing persons cases across the United States.

It added there are 35,936 missing person cases that have been classified as having been resolved.

Anyone with any information regarding Abbruscato's death or the whereabouts of El Sayed is asked to call the FCPD Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800, option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by phone at 866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477) and by web.

People are also asked to download the P3 Tips app "Fairfax Co Crime Solvers." Anonymous tipsters are eligible for a cash reward, and those who contact police are asked to leave their contact information if they want a detective to follow up with them.