News Release

The murder of Linda Trinh was a terrible blow to our university, especially coming so close to the death last year of Chris Elser. Linda, like Chris, was an extraordinary member of our community. She was talented and hard-working, loving and well-loved.

So it has been very difficult for us these past two months.

But as hard as it has been, we have been confident throughout that the Baltimore police department was aggressively pursuing the case. We know that the officers of this department, from the front-line investigators up through the chiefs and all the way up to Commissioner Hamm, have devoted many, many hours to this effort.

More important, they have devoted their hearts and souls as well to catching the person who took Linda from her family and friends.

I just want to say today, on behalf of the entire university community, how grateful we are to Mayor O'Malley and to Commissioner Hamm and his team.

And I want to say how especially grateful we are to every detective, every police officer, every forensic investigator — to anyone who contributed in any way to the successful conclusion of this investigation.

Not only as president, but as a parent, I can tell you that the safety and security of our students is of paramount importance to us at Johns Hopkins. We have been working very hard... often in close cooperation with the community, the police and the city... to enhance that safety and security. I pledge today that we will not let up in our dedication to that effort.

Thank you.