Body Found in Well may be Alexandria Community Activist

Community activist Lenny Harris.

By Armando Trull

ALEXANDRIA, VA. - Prince George's County Police and investigators from Alexandria responded to a report of a body found in a 20-foot well in the backyard of a home in Fort Washington, Md.

Police say the investigation is still in the early stages, but there is some suspicion that Lenny Harris, 53, of Alexandria, could be involved.

Harris, a community activist, disappeared in September 2011. His 1994 Toyota was found near Fort Washington, and police say that someone tried to use Harris' credit card - first in Prince George's County, and then in Alexandria. Authorities say they have video of that man.

The body was found after police received an anonymous tip directing them to the well behind the apparently abandoned home, reports NBC Washington.

Authorities attempted to continue retrieval efforts today, but the efforts were hampered by the rain. Detectives want to dig up the well to access the body, but there is concern the well could collapse.

Police have not been able to determine if the remains are male or female.

The abandoned house is off of Old Court Road, but can been seen from the street; the well is even further back, making it an ideal location for someone trying to hide a corpse.

Armando Trull reports for WAMU.