Victor Martinez-Hernandez, a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five. The sentencing took place on Monday in Harford County Circuit Court, following a brutal attack that occurred on August 5, 2023, while Morin was jogging on the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland.

During the hearing, Morin's family delivered emotional victim impact statements. Her eldest daughter described her mother as “kind, strong, honest, determined and funny,” and expressed the profound loss felt by the family. "I had to relive the worst two days of my life in order to write this," she stated in a written statement read by the prosecutor. Morin's younger brother shared his grief, saying he has experienced a “tidal wave of grief” since her death.

Judge Yolanda Curtin condemned Martinez-Hernandez's actions, stating, "You took a life that was not yours to take. Your acts not only brutalized a young woman but also terrorized a community. You are not a candidate for rehabilitation. There is simply no hope to rehabilitate you."

Martinez-Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, first-degree sexual offense, and kidnapping in April. He strangled Morin and struck her head against rocks before hiding her body in a drainage culvert. He fled Maryland after the crime and was arrested in Oklahoma nearly a year later, following a nationwide manhunt.

Morin's mother, Patty, spoke about the lasting impact of her daughter's murder, revealing that she has suffered from nightmares, panic attacks, and insomnia since the tragedy. "The depths of grief are equivalent to the depths of love felt," she said, emphasizing the long-term effects on the family.

Martinez-Hernandez's attorneys noted that he had been acquitted of a murder charge in El Salvador prior to entering the U.S. However, he was wanted for another murder in his home country. The case has drawn attention to immigration policies, with Morin's family expressing concerns about the implications of illegal immigration in their community.

Acting ICE director Todd Lyons commented on the case, stating that Morin was taken from her family by a criminal who should not have been in the country. He expressed condolences to the Morin family and emphasized the agency's commitment to public safety.

The Morin family has been vocal about their grief and the need for justice, with their attorney noting that immigration was not a significant topic for them before Rachel's murder. "Their perspective changed drastically," he said, highlighting the family's ongoing struggle with their loss.