Mariame Toure Sylla’s Body Recognized, Murder Suspect Arrested

A beloved Maryland teacher was tragically murdered, and authorities are still searching for answers about the motive and method of her killing. It has been over a month since Mariame Toure Sylla, a 59-year-old elementary school teacher, went missing during her regular evening walk near her Greenbelt, Maryland, condo on July 29. Harold Francis Landon III, a 33-year-old man, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death. The investigation has revealed that Sylla’s partial remains were discovered near Joint Base Andrews on August 1. The body was identified through DNA analysis.

The news of Sylla’s death has left the community devastated, especially her colleagues and students at the Dora Kennedy French Immersion School in Greenbelt. Despite the arrest, many questions still linger about what led to this tragic event.

A witness came forward after spotting the remains near an industrial pond in Clinton, about 20 miles from where Sylla was last seen at Schrom Hills Park. The body was found without clothing and was missing its head, arms, and lower legs, according to the arrest warrant obtained by HuffPost.

This witness provided crucial information to the police, sharing that they had taken photographs of a man seen disposing of something in the pond near where Sylla’s remains were discovered. The individual in question was driving an old white pickup truck and was observed washing his hands near the water before leaving.

Detailed surveillance footage obtained by investigators showed a white truck entering a parking lot near the pond at approximately 9:30 p.m. on July 31. The vehicle then turned off its lights and proceeded onto the grassy area next to the pond, as described in the arrest warrant.

Phone records further revealed that both Landon and Sylla were near the Schrom Hills Recreation Center shortly after 7 p.m. on July 29, the last known sighting of Sylla alive. During this timeframe, witnesses noticed a man disposing of what is believed to be Sylla’s remains in the same area.

Landon himself confirmed his involvement in the photographs and video footage, and he acknowledged that the white Chevrolet Silverado truck, bearing Florida license plates and manufactured in 2004, belonged to him. Multiple individuals who were acquainted with Landon also recognized his connection to the truck during interviews with the police.

It is worth noting that Landon was already in custody on unrelated domestic violence charges when he was formally charged with murder. Authorities discovered a power saw at his residence that matched the injuries inflicted on the victim’s body.

Prince George’s County Police Chief Malik Aziz expressed his condolences and shared that despite the arrest, the motive for the killing remains unknown. He emphasized that the senseless act of violence is deeply disturbing and will not bring closure to the grieving family, regardless of the motive.

Aziz also stated that there is no evidence to suggest any prior connection between Landon and Sylla. He described the murder as a heinous crime committed for an unjustifiable and unknown reason.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) issued a press release on September 1, strongly condemning the killing of Sylla. CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry expressed her deepest condolences to the family and called for swift justice to be served.

Sylla’s funeral is scheduled to take place on Friday at the Diyanet Center of America Mosque in Landham. A GoFundMe campaign has been created to assist with the funeral expenses and support the grieving family during this difficult time.

The loss of Sister Mariame Toure Sylla, a beloved teacher and cherished member of the community, has left a lasting impact. In the face of this tragic event, no words can fully express the anger and sorrow felt by all those affected.