Briefing: The Murder of Rachel Morin and the Conviction of Victor Martinez-Hernandez
- Cassian Creed
- Sep 22
- 8 min read
Executive Summary
This document provides a comprehensive overview of the August 5, 2023, murder of Rachel Hannah Morin in Bel Air, Maryland, and the subsequent investigation, trial, and sentencing of her killer, Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez.
On August 5, 2023, Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, was brutally attacked, raped, and murdered while walking on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail. Her body was discovered the following day in a drainage culvert. The case drew national attention, sparking a 10-month, multi-agency manhunt for the perpetrator.
The investigation hinged on DNA evidence recovered from the crime scene. While the DNA profile matched that from a March 2023 home invasion and assault in Los Angeles, the suspect remained unidentified. The breakthrough came when investigators employed advanced forensic genetic genealogy through a partnership with Othram, a private lab. This cutting-edge technology led to the identification of Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, a 24-year-old Salvadoran national who had entered the United States illegally in February 2023 and was also wanted for murder in El Salvador.
Martinez-Hernandez was apprehended in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 14, 2024. His trial in Harford County, Maryland, commenced in April 2025. After a seven-day trial featuring extensive DNA evidence, digital forensics from the defendant's phone, and emotional witness testimony, a jury found him guilty on all counts—including first-degree murder and first-degree rape—in under one hour of deliberation.
On August 11, 2025, Martinez-Hernandez was sentenced to the maximum penalty: life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus a consecutive additional life sentence and 40 years. The case has had a profound impact on the local community and has become a focal point in the national discourse on immigration policy and border security.
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I. The Crime
On the evening of August 5, 2023, Rachel Morin, 37, went for a walk on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland. Data from her phone and Apple Watch indicate she arrived at the trail around 6:58 p.m. and was attacked and murdered between 7:04 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.
The Attack: Evidence showed that Martinez-Hernandez was waiting in the woods and brutally attacked Morin shortly after she entered the trail. She fought for her life as she was dragged 150 feet from the main path into a wooded area.
Discovery of the Body: After Morin failed to return home, her boyfriend, Richard Tobin, reported her missing at approximately 11:20 p.m. Her car was found at the trailhead parking lot on Williams Street. The following day, August 6, 2023, a volunteer searcher discovered her body concealed in a drainage culvert.
Cause of Death and Injuries: A state medical examiner testified that Morin suffered multiple blows to her head and face, strangulation, and fractures to her nose, skull, and ribs. The examiner stated she was hit over the head 10 to 15 times, presumably with a rock, and was likely unconscious when she was raped. The attack was described as one of the most brutal offenses in Harford County history.
II. The Victim: Rachel Hannah Morin
Personal Background: Rachel Hannah Morin (born May 20, 1986) was a 37-year-old mother of five children, who were aged 9, 12, 15, and 20 at the time of the sentencing.
Life and Work: She owned a cleaning business and was described as a fitness enthusiast who enjoyed lifting weights, participating in marathons, and frequently using the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail for exercise.
Family Statements: Her mother, Patty Morin, described her as a "fun little fireball" who was vibrant and outgoing. In a victim impact statement, her son stated, "She was a good mom... Every time I see a picture of her, I think about the life I had with her and my four sisters. I miss her."
III. The Perpetrator: Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez
Personal Details: Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez was born on September 19, 2000, in El Salvador.
Immigration Status and Criminal History:
El Salvador: An arrest warrant for aggravated femicide was issued for him in January 2023 for the murder of a young woman. An active "Red Notice" from El Salvador listed him as “armed, dangerous, likely to escape, and violent.”
Illegal Entry into the U.S.: He was deported from the U.S. three times in early 2023 under Title 42. He successfully entered the country illegally near El Paso, Texas, on February 13, 2023.
Los Angeles Crime: On March 26, 2023, he committed a home invasion in Los Angeles, where he assaulted a nine-year-old girl and her mother. DNA evidence from this crime would later be crucial in linking him to Morin's murder.
Life in Maryland: During the summer of 2023, around the time of the murder, Martinez-Hernandez was living and working in Bel Air, Maryland, at establishments including a Popeye's and the Barretts on the Pike restaurant, both located about a mile from the crime scene. He stayed with family members in both Bel Air and Temple Hills, Maryland.
IV. The Investigation and Apprehension
The investigation was a massive undertaking led by the Harford County Sheriff’s Office in partnership with the FBI and other federal, state, and local agencies.
Initial Stages: Investigators received over 1,000 tips. An initial DNA analysis from the crime scene was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which produced a match to the Los Angeles home invasion but did not identify a suspect by name. Authorities released doorbell camera footage of the suspect leaving the Los Angeles crime scene.
The DNA Breakthrough: In September 2023, the Harford County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI submitted forensic evidence to Othram, a private Texas-based laboratory. Using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, Othram built a comprehensive DNA profile. This profile was then used by the FBI's Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) Team to build a family tree, which generated new leads.
Identification and Arrest: Through genealogy, investigators identified Martinez-Hernandez as the suspect on May 20, 2024. After confirming his identity, a warrant was issued, and he was tracked to Tulsa, Oklahoma. On June 14, 2024, he was arrested at a bar. He initially lied about his identity to the arresting officers. He was extradited back to Maryland on June 18, 2024.
V. Legal Proceedings: Trial and Conviction
The trial of Victor Martinez-Hernandez began on April 1, 2025, at the Harford County Circuit Court, with Judge Yolanda L. Curtin presiding.
Prosecution's Case: Led by Harford County State’s Attorney Alison M. Healey, the prosecution presented a compelling case built on forensic evidence.
DNA Evidence: The suspect's DNA was found on Rachel Morin's body (wrist, neck, chest), her clothing, and her smashed Apple Watch.
Digital Forensics: The defendant’s seized phone contained photos and screenshots of Rachel Morin, searches of her name, and news coverage of the murder investigation.
Witness Testimony: A key witness, Kyle Stacy, testified to seeing Morin on the trail moments before her death, followed by a suspicious man lurking in the woods holding what he believed was a black walking stick, now thought to be a shovel that was found at the scene. Family members and co-workers testified that Martinez-Hernandez was living and working in Bel Air at the time of the murder, contradicting his claims to police that he had never been to Maryland.
Defense's Case: The defense, led by Assistant Public Defender Sawyer Hicks, argued that Martinez-Hernandez was not the perpetrator. They claimed the crime was committed by someone with a personal grievance against Morin, not a stranger, and attempted to raise questions about Morin's boyfriend, Richard Tobin, and why his DNA was not present.
Verdict: On April 14, 2025, after a seven-day trial and less than one hour of deliberation, the jury found Victor Martinez-Hernandez guilty on all charges.
Formal Charges
The following table details the charges filed against Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez in the District Court of Maryland for Harford County.
Charge # | Statute | Description | Penalty |
001 | CR 2-201 | Murder - First Degree | Life (OL) |
002 | CR 2-204 | Murder - Second Degree | 40 Years |
003 | CR 3-303 | Rape - First Degree | Life (OL) |
004 | CR 3-304 | Rape - Second Degree | 20 Years |
005 | CR 3-202 | Assault - First Degree | 25 Years |
006 | CR 3-203 | Assault - Second Degree | 10 Years &/$2,500.00 |
N/A | Not Listed | Kidnapping | 30 Years |
N/A | Not Listed | Third-Degree Sexual Offense | 10 Years |
Note: The charges for Kidnapping and Third-Degree Sexual Offense were included in the conviction but are not detailed in the provided Statement of Charges document.
VI. Sentencing and Aftermath
On August 11, 2025, Judge Yolanda L. Curtin handed down the maximum possible sentence.
Sentence Imposed:
Life in prison without the possibility of parole for First-Degree Murder.
A consecutive life sentence for First-Degree Rape.
An additional 40 years to serve consecutively for Kidnapping and a Third-Degree Sex Offense.
Judicial Remarks: Judge Curtin told Martinez-Hernandez, "You are not a candidate for rehabilitation. There is simply no hope to rehabilitate you. You took a life that was not yours to take. Your acts not only brutalized a young woman but also terrorized a community."
Victim Impact Statements: The court heard ten impact statements from Morin's family, including her mother, siblings, and four of her children. The three youngest children delivered their statements via audio recording.
Prosecution's Sentencing Argument: State's Attorney Alison Healey argued that Martinez-Hernandez is "completely and entirely unamenable to treatment." She cited a pre-sentencing psychosexual evaluation that described him as "marked by coldness, dismissiveness, and a callous attitude when discussing the offense, along with an absence of remorse, insight, acceptance of responsibility, or empathy."
Defendant's Status: Martinez-Hernandez will serve his sentence in Maryland and is not expected to be deported. He has indicated plans to appeal the sentence.
Family GoFundMe Lawsuit
In May 2025, a lawsuit was filed by the guardians of Rachel Morin's children against the children's grandmother, Patty Morin, and aunt, Rebekah Morin. The complaint alleged fraud, claiming that nearly $55,000 in GoFundMe donations intended for the children was not distributed to them. The lawsuit was dismissed in September 2025 after the parties reached a confidential settlement agreement.
VII. Community and Political Impact
Community Response: Morin's murder deeply affected the Bel Air community.
Public Safety Measures: The Harford County Sheriff’s Office increased patrols on the Ma & Pa Trail, and in November 2023, 23 surveillance cameras were installed along the trail.
Memorials: Community walks were organized to honor Morin's memory, including a "RememberingRachelMorin" walk on August 19, 2023, which created a "Trail of Flowers and Light."
Political Ramifications: The case, involving a perpetrator who entered the country illegally and had a violent criminal history, became a significant talking point in the national debate over U.S. immigration policy.
Official Statements: Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler stated, "The failure here again is the immigration system that allowed this person to enter our country illegally." DHS Secretary Kristi Noem issued a statement after the sentencing, saying, "This criminal illegal alien should have never been in our country in the first place." U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) called for "meaningful action to reform our broken immigration system."
National Politics: Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump spoke with Morin's mother numerous times. Morin's brother, Michael Morin, addressed the 2024 Republican National Convention, stating, “My sister’s death was preventable.”
VIII. Key Quotations
Alison Healey, Harford County State's Attorney: "Arguably, Harford County has never seen a case or a Defendant more deserving of every single day of the maximum sentence this Court imposed today... hopefully, knowing this monster will spend every single day of the rest of his life behind bars will give them some peace as they move into the next chapter of their family story."
Judge Yolanda L. Curtin, to the defendant: "You are not a candidate for rehabilitation. There is simply no hope to rehabilitate you. You took a life that was not yours to take. Your acts not only brutalized a young woman but also terrorized a community."
Jeffrey Gahler, Harford County Sheriff: "We need our government to work as efficiently as this investigation and this prosecution to work together and take the politics out of it and fix the immigration system in this country and keep our communities safe."
Rachel Morin's Son, in a victim impact statement: "She was a good mom... Every time I see a picture of her, I think about the life I had with her and my four sisters. I miss her."
Kristen Middleman, Othram Chief Development Officer, on the role of DNA: "This case really showcases the power of DNA as a biometric right because there was no other way to get him. He was an illegal immigrant to the United States didn't have an address a job a driver's license... where Marin couldn't tell her own story science spoke for her."
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