Maryland Divorce Sought by Husband of Wife Missing Since 2002
A Maryland man who has been followed by police after his wife went missing in 2002 has recently sought a divorce, according to a story in the Arbutus Times. D.J. Rust Jr. testified last week that he has not seen his wife Michelle since her disappearance, and that he has no reasonable hope of reconciling with her. Maryland divorce law states that both partners have grounds for divorce when the couple has been living separately for more than two consecutive years without any reasonable expectation of reconciliation. According to the story, Court Master Mary Kramer said that she would recommend a Circuit Court judge grant Rust the divorce and custody of the couple’s seven-year-old son. Kramer added in the story that Rust would probably receive the divorce decree by mail in less than month.
Rust was the last person to see his wife Michelle in 2002, and a Baltimore County detective was in court last week to follow the divorce proceeding. Michelle Rust disappeared on the day of her son’s third birthday, and her father later found her van empty near an intersection later that day. Michelle’s parents say they last saw their daughter with her husband and son the night before her disappearance. Police determined within months that foul play was involved, but have yet to find Michelle’s body or any of her clothing and jewelry that she was last seen wearing. Police have observed D.J. Rust’s activities since the disappearance and will continue to do so until his missing wife is found, according to a Baltimore County police detective assigned to the case. D.J. Rust and Michelle’s parents declined comments on the divorce proceedings.
Michelle Rust was 24-years-old at the time of her disappearance. She was 5’4’’ and 140 pounds. She has been described as a blue-eyed white woman with red hair and was last seen wearing a black V-neck top, white gold cross necklace, diamond engagement ring and blue sapphire ring. Police ask anyone with information about Michelle Rust’s disappearance to call 410-307-2020.
