The body found yesterday in Kenilworth Park has positively been identified as Kahlil Tatum, according to D.C. Police.
At a press conference held Monday evening at approximately 6:20 p.m., D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier thanked volunteers who have helped in the search for Relisha Rudd.
She stated that the adult male body found had tentatively been identified as Khalil Tatum – as it is “consistent with his appearance.” Lanier also added that she was “pretty comfortable” in concluding that the death was a suicide. But Rudd remains missing.
“We are still here for the reason we came here to begin with – to look for Relisha,” Lanier said. “The discovery was a shock for us.”
Earlier Monday, it was confirmed that the body of an adult male was found in Kenilworth Park and aquatic gardens in the “target area” of where authorities and volunteers have been searching for missing 8-year-old girl Relisha Rudd on Monday.
“Looked like the officers were running back and forth and running in and out of the woods,” said nearby resident, James Johnson, of the flurry of activity at the park.
Lanier explained that the 700-acre area had been the recent focus of multiple search efforts by air, and on the ground there were search dogs looking for Rudd and Tatum.
On Monday, it was a search by foot that led to this most recent discovery. And now, residents and family members are fearful of the whereabouts of Relisha Rudd. If Tatum was dead, they ask, where is she?
“It is in God’s hands now — can’t do nothing now but pray and hope for the best,” said resident Kevin McBride.
