Illegal immigrant suspected in Rachel Morin’s murder went on months-long terror spree
Rachel Morin’s illegal-migrant killer spent the months before her murder on a violent crime rampage, authorities say.
Suspected Salvadorean gang member Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez allegedly killed a young woman in the Central American country — then illegally crossed into the US four times within two months, with only his last try being successful.
He escaped border detection and roamed around free in the US for about 16 months, committing heinous crimes including Morin’s murder, officials say.
Illegal migrant and suspected gang member Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez is accused of killing Maryland mom Rachel Morin. Tulsa Police Department
Here is his timeline of the terror:
January 2023
Martinez-Hernandez allegedly kills a woman in El Salvador and then illegally crosses into the US twice that month — once near El Paso, Texas and then in New Mexico — before being nabbed and booted from the country.
February 2023
Martinez-Hernandez illegally crosses into the US a third time — again in New Mexico — and gets the boot.
Between February and March 26, 2023
Martinez-Hernandez illegally crosses into the US a fourth time, which is apparently the charm, and remains undetected.
March 26, 2023
Martinez-Hernandez allegedly attacks a 9-year-old girl and her mom during a brutal home invasion in Los Angeles.
The suspect allegedly committed several heinous crimes before Morin’s murder, including a home invasion in Los Angeles that caught him on this doorbell surveillance footage. Harford County Sheriff's Office
Morin, 37, left behind five children ages 8 to 18. Facebook/Rachel Morin
Aug. 5, 2023
Morin, a 37-year-old mom of five, vanishes after going for a walk on the Ma and Pa Heritage Trail in Bel Air, around 6 p.m. Her boyfriend reports her missing around 11:20 p.m.
Aug. 6, 2023
Morin’s body is found about 1 p.m. in a nearby culvert.
Aug. 17, 2023
Cops are able to match the suspected killer’s DNA from the scene to a sample recovered a water bottle and hat left behind at the LA home invasion, linking the crimes. Doorbell surveillance footage of the suspect from the home invasion is released to the public.
Feb. 12, 2024
Cops release a sketch of the suspect and boost the reward for information leading to his arrest to $35,000.
May 20, 2024
Authorities ID Martinez-Hernandez as the suspect.
June 14, 2024
Cops bust Martinez-Hernandez “casually sitting’’ at a bar in Tulsa, Okla.
June 17, 2024
He waives his right to an extradition hearing in Tulsa, paving the way for him to be hauled back to Maryland to face charges in Morin’s death, according to local Baltimore media.