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Migrant sentenced to life for murdering Maryland mum in case invoked by Trump

August 12, 2025

Victor Martinez-Hernandez, a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, has been sentenced to life without parole for the rape and murder of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old American mother of five, on a Maryland hiking trail in August 2023. The court heard that Martinez-Hernandez assaulted Morin, bludgeoned her with rocks, strangled her, and hid her body in a drainage culvert before being arrested in June 2024 after a 10-month manhunt. Judge Yolanda Curtin imposed multiple sentences including life for first-degree murder, life for rape, and an additional 40 years for other offenses, which will be served in a Maryland prison.

Who is affected

  • Rachel Morin, the 37-year-old mother of five who was murdered
  • Rachel Morin's five children (ages 9-15)
  • Patty Morin (Rachel's mother)
  • Michael Morin (Rachel's older brother)
  • The Morin family as a whole
  • Harford County community
  • "Angel families" (those with loved ones killed by illegal immigrants)

What action is being taken

  • Victor Martinez-Hernandez is serving life sentences plus 40 years in a Maryland prison
  • The Morin family is supporting Trump's campaign for border security
  • The White House invited Patty Morin to address a media briefing about her daughter's death
  • Michael Morin is speaking at political events about border security, including addressing the Republican National Convention

Why it matters

  • The case has become a focal point in national debates about immigration policy and border security
  • President Trump used this case to support his border security crackdown during the election campaign
  • The case highlights tensions between border enforcement advocates and those who point out that studies indicate undocumented immigrants are not more likely to commit crimes than citizens
  • The Morin family has become politically active in advocating for stricter border controls following their personal tragedy

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC