Victor Martinez Hernandez, a 23-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador, has been charged with the rape and murder of Rachel Morin in Bel Air, Maryland, after a nationwide manhunt led to his arrest in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Martinez Hernandez, who fled El Salvador after being wanted for another murder, had been hiding with relatives in Maryland before his arrest and has suspected gang ties. DNA evidence linked him to the brutal beating and death of Rachel Morin, a mother of five, found on the Ma and Pa Trail. Authorities believe he may have assaulted other victims during his time in the United States.

Rachel Morin, a mother of five, was reported missing by her boyfriend before being found dead and brutally beaten on the side of the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland, on August 5, 2023. Her car was discovered parked near the trail, raising initial alarms about her whereabouts.

Martinez Hernandez is believed to have fled his native El Salvador in February 2023 after a warrant had been issued there for the murder of a woman. He successfully entered the United States illegally on his fourth attempt on February 13, 2023, near El Paso, Texas. He was hiding with relatives in Maryland from December 2023 to May 2024.

Authorities captured Martinez Hernandez at a bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after an extensive nationwide manhunt that also stretched back to Los Angeles and El Salvador. DNA samples collected from bags of clothes he had left behind matched those found at the crime scene, directly linking him to the murder and rape of Rachel Morin.

Further damning evidence arose when DNA taken from a separate incident involving the assault of a 9-year-old girl during a home invasion in Los Angeles in March also matched a sample found on Morin. This additional connection heightened fears about other potential victims during Martinez Hernandez's stay in the United States.

Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler pointed out that there were no indications Martinez Hernandez sought a better life in the United States. Instead, he accused him of attempting to escape justice for his crimes in El Salvador, leveraging illegal entry as a means to do so.

The suspect's scheduled appearance before a Maryland judge is set for Friday, where he will face charges for rape and murder. This case has prompted severe criticism of the systems in place for tracking individuals with criminal backgrounds, particularly with Martinez Hernandez's known suspected gang ties.

The mother of Rachel Morin, Patty Morin, voiced her astonishment at the actions of Martinez Hernandez following the crime. The family felt that his movements and the fact he was hiding with relatives displayed a level of brazenness and disregard for justice.

The DNA match was a critical element in the quick resolution of this case, unveiling the identity of Victor Martinez Hernandez.

Morin's relatives have expressed relief at the arrest but maintain a level of fear concerning other possible victims Martinez Hernandez might have encountered during his fugitive period. They note the importance of further investigation into his activities in the U.S. to bring any other victims the justice they deserve.

Martinez Hernandez’s arrest has not only provided some closure for the Morin family but also highlighted serious security and enforcement gaps. Law enforcement agencies are expected to review protocols and collaborate on ensuring that individuals with violent criminal backgrounds are tracked and apprehended swiftly, preventing further tragedies.