He was hiding right under their noses. The illegal immigrant accused of brutally killing Rachel Morin in 2023 on a Maryland hiking trail was found staying with relatives in the state during a nationwide manhunt that led to his arrest for murder, according to court documents.
Victor Martinez Hernandez, 23, was apprehended at a bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and brought back to Maryland to face charges of rape and murder. His relatives in Maryland disclosed that he had been living with them from December 2023 to May 2024 before disappearing abruptly.
They did not provide details on their exact location in the state or how close it was to where Morin’s body was discovered on August 5, 2023. Morin’s mother, Patty Morin, expressed shock at the fact that Martinez Hernandez had not fled the state where the crime occurred.
The police search for Martinez Hernandez extended all the way to Los Angeles and El Salvador. Morin’s boyfriend reported her missing after she failed to return from a walk on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland.
Authorities found her car near the trail and her brutally beaten body in a nearby culvert. Martinez Hernandez left behind bags of clothing at his relatives’ residence, and DNA collected from those items matched samples from the crime scene.
It was revealed that Martinez Hernandez, who is suspected of having gang affiliations, fled El Salvador in February 2023 following a murder warrant issued against him. After three unsuccessful attempts, he managed to cross the border into the United States near El Paso, Texas on February 13, 2023.
During a home invasion in Los Angeles in March, he assaulted a 9-year-old girl, and DNA evidence from that incident matched samples found on Morin. Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler emphasized that Martinez Hernandez did not come to the US for a better life but to escape his crimes in El Salvador and commit more violence.
Morin’s family expressed concerns that Martinez Hernandez may have assaulted other individuals during his time in the US. He is set to appear before a Maryland judge on Friday.
The case of Rachel Morin’s murder serves as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by individuals in our communities. It highlights the importance of remaining vigilant and coming forward with any information that could help prevent such heinous acts in the future. It also sheds light on the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in tracking down suspects who move across state lines and international borders.
As we await further developments in this case, it is crucial for us to support law enforcement efforts and work together to ensure that justice is served for the victims and their families. Let us honor the memory of Rachel Morin by standing united against violence and advocating for safer communities for all.
