Body of D.C. man suspected of kidnapping an 8-year-old girl found; girl still at large

A body was found in Washington D.C. that is believed to be that of the abductor of 8-year-old Relisha Rudd.

The body of Kahlil Tatum, 51, was found in a park on Tuesday. According to CNN, the cause of death is believed to be suicide.

“It appears the body has been dead for about 36 hours,” D.C. Police Chief, Cathy Lanier, said.

Relisha Rudd has been missing since the beginning of March. She had last been seen with Tatum, who was a janitor living in the same homeless shelter as Rudd. Tatum had not been seen by anyone since March 20.

NBC Washington reports that on March 2, Tatum was seen buying trash bags and spending a lot of time at a local park.

Another reports had sources claiming to see Tatum purchase a shovel and lime. Lime can be used to quicken the process of decomposition.

Tatum reportedly had contact with other girls that were living at the shelter, but there has not been enough information gathered to determine the nature of those relations.