Missing St. Mary's Co. Woman's Death Ruled Homicide

CALIFORNIA, Md. (AP) -- St. Mary's County authorities say the death of a woman whose body was found along a trail has been ruled a homicide.

Detectives with the St. Mary's County Bureau of Criminal Investigations and Maryland State Police are investigating the death of Moneta Jo Strickland, 32, of California, Md.

Officials announced late Sunday that an autopsy has been conducted and the manner of Strickland's death was classified as a homicide. The cause of her death was not released.

Strickland's family reported her missing on Friday. Her car was later found at John V. Baggett Park at Laurel Grove and the Three Notch Trail. Her body was found near the trail.

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