Authorities in Maryland are urging residents to remain vigilant amid the ongoing manhunt for Rachel Morin’s killer, described by police as someone with an “absolute disregard” for human life who will likely strike again if he is not caught.

A search for the man who murdered Morin began on Aug. 5, after the mother of five vanished during a hike in Bel Air. Her naked and badly beaten body was later discovered in a tunnel along the scenic Ma & Pa Heritage Trail, less than 24 hours after her boyfriend reported her missing.

Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler warned the suspect could become more brazen the longer he is on the loose. He added that it’s very “likely someone knows him” and called on anyone with information to come forward.

“This individual poses a threat to every community from here to Los Angeles because we don’t know where he’s laying his head at night,” he told Fox 5 news.

A memorial for Rachel Morin is displayed on a tree on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air.

Gahler said his concern for the community was further stoked when DNA recovered near Morin’s remains matched that of a person wanted in Los Angeles in connection with a March burglary. Police recently released surveillance video showing a shirtless man, believed to be the suspect, leaving the home he’d just targeted.

“I just don’t believe you do two things that are so serious in nature and that’s your starting point,” Gahler told the news station. “Most likely you’ve been involved in other crimes.”

While the DNA from both crime scenes match, neither the Los Angeles Police Department nor officers in Hartford have identified the man connected with the violent crimes. Gahler said it remains their “top priority.”

Metro Crime stoppers is offering up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of Morin’s killer. He’s described as being approximately 5-feet-9, 160 pounds, 20-30 years of age, with dark hair and a muscular build. He’s believed to be of Hispanic decent.