A Maryland man is being charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 2002 disappearance of his wife, county police said.
Police said a grand jury indicted Dwight “DJ” Rust Jr. on April 20, almost 24 years after Michelle Rust’s initial disappearance. He was arrested the following day, police said.
According to authorities, Michelle Rust was reported missing on July 20, 2002, at approximately 3 p.m. by her husband, who stated that she left their residence in the 1800 block of Clarke Boulevard earlier that morning to buy items for their son’s third birthday party and had not returned.
She was last seen driving her green Dodge van, which police previously said her father-in-law found in the 2400 block of Zion Road during search efforts.
In a briefing streamed by WBAL, Rust’s defense attorney claimed there is “absolutely no evidence” that his client is involved in her disappearance.
Rust is being held without bail at the Baltimore County Detention Center, police said.
–Cynthia Hernandez