On August 31, 2025, Maryland State Police discovered the body of an unidentified woman in a grassy area along eastbound U.S. Route 50 near Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, prompting a joint investigation with the Prince George’s County Police Department into possible ties to a missing persons case from Lanham. Troopers from the Maryland State Police Annapolis Barrack arrived at the scene shortly before 5 p.m. in response to a report of a disabled vehicle, only to find the woman unresponsive off the highway. The disabled vehicle has been ruled unrelated to the incident, according to investigators.
As of September 4, the woman’s identity remains unconfirmed, with officials awaiting results from an autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to establish the cause and manner of death. Preliminary findings point to a potential link with the disappearance of 19-year-old Dacara Rose Thompson, reported missing from Prince George’s County on August 23, though police have emphasized that no positive identification has been made.
The discovery unfolded during routine patrol duties along one of the busiest corridors connecting the Capital Region to the Eastern Shore. U.S. Route 50, a major artery through Anne Arundel County, sees heavy commuter traffic daily, with eastbound lanes often carrying travelers from Annapolis toward the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The grassy median where the body was located lies just beyond the shoulder, an area typically shielded from view by highway barriers but accessible during emergency responses.
Upon arrival, troopers immediately secured the site, and investigators from the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division Southern Region took over, assisted by crime scene technicians from the Forensic Sciences Division. These specialists methodically collected evidence, including potential trace materials from the surrounding terrain, under protocols designed to preserve chain of custody for forensic analysis. The process involves photographing the scene, documenting positions of any items, and using specialized tools to detect biological or chemical residues, all while coordinating with traffic control to minimize disruptions on the interstate.
Thompson’s disappearance, which began about nine days earlier, has drawn significant attention in the Prince George’s County community, located roughly 20 miles northeast of the discovery site. On the evening of August 22, the 19-year-old left her father’s home in Lanham, stating she was heading to a nearby Shell gas station at Eastgate Shopping Center to refuel her 2013 pearl white Ford Edge.
Surveillance footage captured her exiting the vehicle there, dressed in a dark-colored jacket and denim jeans. Around 11:50 p.m., after failing to hear from her, her father called, receiving no answer.
A subsequent text exchange ended with her message: “I got gas & I’m out. I should be back soon. I love you too. Goodnight <3.” She did not return home. Early the next morning, August 23, additional video from the 1800 block of Jasmine Terrace in Hyattsville showed what appeared to be Thompson parking her car around 1:30 a.m. and walking toward Riggs Road.
Her mother later used an iPhone tracking app to pinpoint the vehicle’s location, leading family members to the scene, where it was found abandoned, parked incorrectly in front of a fire hydrant opposite the Chillum-Adelphi Volunteer Fire Station. Personal items, including her wallet and keys, remained inside, heightening concerns.
The connection between the cases emerged during routine cross-jurisdictional checks, as state police notified Prince George’s authorities about the body’s discovery due to matching physical descriptions, such as age, build, and distinguishing features like tattoos on Thompson’s right side and left arm.
Interim Prince George’s County Police Chief George Nader addressed the development during a news conference on September 3, stating, “The characteristics were similar, we have not confirmed this is the missing. I want to make that very clear.”
County Executive Aisha Braveboy added, “Even though technically she’s an adult, she’s someone’s child, someone’s baby,” underscoring the emotional weight on the family and community. A vigil held on August 31 in Langley Park drew supporters, with one attendee, Mimi Jones from Upper Marlboro, placing flowers at the abandoned car’s site and remarking, “It’s just a sad situation that a girl that young is missing in the community. I also have a daughter. So, just sad to hear, and I really hope that she’s found.”
In the interim, both agencies have urged the public to come forward with tips, emphasizing anonymity options. Contacts include Maryland State Police at 1-866-7LOCKUP for death-related information and Prince George’s County Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), with online submissions available at www.pgcrimesolvers.com or via the P3 Tips app. Refer to case number 25-0046894 for Thompson’s file.
