D.C. police searched the area where a body was found in Northwest D.C. Saturday.
A fisherman found the body about 6:30 p.m. in a wooded area about a half mile from the Chain Bridge, which connects Clara Barton Parkway in D.C. to George Washington Memorial Parkway in Virginia.
The killer bludgeoned the victim with something like a machete, law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said.
The victim had traumatic injuries to his body, head and neck, police said. One of his hands was cut off and the other was barely intact.
The body was discovered near popular walking and biking trails. The Cheseapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath runs directly under Chain Bridge.
Police searched the area with a dog Monday, looking for clues, including the weapon.
Police believe the victim was Hispanic and between the ages of 16 and 30. He was wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, blue jeans and white sneakers.
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Police said it is too early to tell whether the homicide was gang related, but they have reached out to law enforcement in neighboring jurisdictions that investigate more gang violence to see if they can assist.
Anyone who was in the area Saturday who may have seen something should contact police.
