Last Friday, investigators announced that they had finally arrested the suspect who allegedly committed the murder of Rachel Morin while she was hiking through a Maryland trail last summer. The search for the suspect had lasted for 10 months, but they were finally able to apprehend him.
According to Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler of Harford County, Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez was apprehended in Tulsa, Oklahoma, by local authorities and the FBI. The arrest was made possible through the use of DNA evidence and tracking, in connection with the 2023 murder.
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According to Gahler, the relentless efforts of his team, the FBI, and the community were instrumental in bringing justice to Morin and her family.
“He said our deputies and partners have been working on this case with persistence and passion every day.”
After Morin’s body was discovered, DNA evidence was collected from the crime scene, which was later found to be linked to a home invasion in Los Angeles that occurred in 2023. The sheriff stated that the DNA of a suspect was recovered from the scene of the LA incident, which involved the assault of a 9-year-old girl.
Gahler revealed that despite having DNA evidence and video footage from the break-in, they were unable to identify the suspect until May.
According to the sheriff and the FBI, Martinez-Hernandez is accused of entering the U.S. illegally last year from El Salvador, where he was wanted for the murder of a woman.
Gahler stated that despite having identified the individual through DNA evidence, their whereabouts remained unknown.
Last week, the authorities were successful in locating the suspect in Tulsa and a warrant was issued for their arrest on Friday.
According to Gahler, Morin’s family was privately informed about the warrant prior to the arrest being made.
With tears in her eyes, Patricia Morin, the mother of the victim, expressed her gratitude to the investigators and media for their assistance in capturing the suspect.
During the news conference, she shared that the lead detective once told her, “Patience will win in the end,” when the situation seemed hopeless. She expressed her gratitude for his words and was thankful for the outcome.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the homicide case.
According to Gahler, the motive for the killing is still unknown, but it seems that the suspect acted alone.
We do not have access to the attorney information for the suspect at the moment. Furthermore, an extradition date has not been scheduled yet.
