MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 2002-40
Michelle Rust
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Halethorpe, Maryland
Summary:
Michelle Lee Rust disappeared on the morning of July 20, 2002, while making preparations for her three-year-old son's birthday party. Baltimore County police have concluded that her disappearance was the result of foul play. On April 20, 2026, a grand jury indicted her husband Dwight Rust Jr. on a charge of first-degree murder, and he was arrested on April 21, 2026.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
Michelle Rust disappeared on the morning of July 20, 2002, as she was making preparations for her three-year-old son's birthday party. Her husband Dwight "DJ" Rust Jr. told officers that she left their home around 9:30 a.m. to go to the store to pick up items for their son's third birthday party and never returned. Witness interviews determined that no one saw Mrs. Rust actually leave her house on Clark Boulevard in Arbutus, and no one ever saw her behind the wheel of her vehicle, a green 1998 Dodge Caravan. Her father-in-law found her vehicle in the 2400 block of Zion Road, empty with a key broken off in the driver's side door lock. Michelle's mother Gwen Lins reported receiving a phone call around 9:30 a.m. when Dwight called asking if she knew where Michelle was, saying she went to the store.
Additional Details:
Investigators found that there has been no activity on any of the missing woman's financial accounts—no money has been taken from ATMs and no checks have been written on her account. A $12,000 reward has not generated any meaningful leads. Michelle may have been carrying a black backpack containing her insulin kit. Michelle Rust was born on July 27, 1977 and graduated from Lansdowne High School. She married her husband Dwight David "DJ" Rust Jr. in 1997 and worked at a day care facility before becoming a stay at home mom. Michelle was afraid that one of Dwight's girlfriends might hurt her, as he had reportedly had several extramarital affairs. Rust filed for divorce from Michelle in 2007 and sought custody of their son. In 2023, police revisited the case and used radar to search for new leads at the 1800 block of Clarke Boulevard. Assistant State's Attorney Daniel Kroepsch said prosecutors were prepared to present alibis and cell tower records at trial linking Dwight Rust Jr. to the crime. During bail review, a prosecutor argued that an affair Dwight Rust had at the time was the motive, with evidence that he was having an affair with a 19-year-old girl from his church and had plans to leave Michelle the same weekend she went missing. Authorities said that the same woman, named Ashley, is now DJ's wife, and they have three children together.
Case Last Updated:
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Share what you learnTimeline of Events
Dwight Rust Jr. was arrested and is currently being held at the Baltimore County Detention Center without bail.
A grand jury indicted Dwight Rust Jr. on a charge of first-degree murder.
Police revisited the case and used radar to search for new leads at the 1800 block of Clarke Boulevard.
Dwight Rust filed for divorce from Michelle and sought custody of their son.
Baltimore County police concluded that the disappearance of Michelle Rust was the result of foul play.
Her father-in-law found her vehicle in the 2400 block of Zion Road, empty with a key broken off in the driver's side door lock.
Officers responded to the 1800 block of Clarke Boulevard for a reported missing person.
Michelle was missed about an hour after she was last seen, when Dwight became concerned because she had not returned from the store.
Michelle Rust left her home around 9:30 a.m. to go to the store to pick up items for their son's third birthday party.
Associated Persons
Dwight R. (Spouse) - Living
Gwen L. (Mother) - Living
Ray L. (Father) - Living
Family Tree
Why is this important?Missing person
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Missing Person
Missing Person
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