Valencia Man Charged with Murder of Missing Teen Maria Paul

A 22-year-old man from Valencia, Omali Rennie, has been charged with the murder of 19-year-old Maria Paul, who was reported missing in September 2024. Rennie, known by several nicknames including ‘Fari’ and ‘Mootie’, appeared in the High Court on July 25, 2025, with a court date set for September 8 to address the charges. Maria was last seen on September 12, 2024, prompting friends and family to launch extensive search efforts. Unfortunately, her fate became apparent when her remains were discovered in a shallow grave on October 1, 2024, which led to public speculation and suspicion toward her boyfriend, Junior, who was later cleared of any involvement. The investigation progressed quietly, culminating in Rennie’s arrest on July 24, 2025, after months of diligent work by the Homicide Bureau of Investigations. His arrest followed an exclusive interview where both he and his father denied any wrongdoing. Maria’s remains were confirmed through DNA analysis, providing a painful closure for her family amid an ongoing investigation.