The conviction includes charges of first-degree murder and first-degree rape, which brought relief to Morin's family, as confirmed by their attorney, Randolph Rice.

Morin was reported missing on August 5, 2023, after failing to return from a run on the Ma & Pa Heritage Trail, and her body was discovered the following day.

The case gained national attention, influencing political discussions around illegal immigration, with Morin's family even testifying before Congress on the issue.

Martinez-Hernandez had a criminal history, including accusations of murder in El Salvador and was linked to a home invasion in Los Angeles before entering the U.S. illegally.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore expressed condolences to the Morin family and emphasized the need for Congress to address immigration policy reforms.

Sentencing for Martinez-Hernandez is still pending, with the state pursuing a life sentence without parole for the murder and additional sentences for other charges.

The violent nature of Morin's murder shocked the Bel Air community and became a focal point in the 2024 presidential campaign, with calls for stricter immigration controls.

The jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching a guilty verdict, which was met with relief by Morin's family present in the courtroom.

Victor Martinez-Hernandez, a 24-year-old fugitive from El Salvador, was convicted on April 14, 2025, for the murder and rape of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five, in Bel Air, Maryland, in August 2023.

Prosecutors presented DNA evidence linking Martinez-Hernandez to the crime, where he allegedly attacked Morin on a hiking trail, resulting in her death and the concealment of her body in a drainage culvert.

Following the verdict, Donald Trump criticized the Biden administration for inadequate border security, claiming that Morin's death was a direct result of these failures.

Despite the emotional outcry surrounding the case, studies indicate that there is little evidence to support the notion that immigrants are more prone to commit crimes.