Bel Air, Maryland – Authorities have apprehended a suspect nearly a year after the tragic death of a mother of five on a hiking trail in Maryland. Victor Martinez Hernandez, 23, was arrested in connection with the murder of Rachel Morin, 37, whose body was found on the Ma and Pa walking trail in Bel Air last year.
Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler of the Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Hernandez, who is originally from El Salvador, during a news conference. The suspect was taken into custody in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following an extensive investigation into Morin’s death.
Morin’s remains were discovered in a culvert after she was dragged into the woods, sparking a lengthy investigation to bring her killer to justice. Police were able to link DNA found at the crime scene to an assault and home invasion in California, ultimately leading to Hernandez’s identification as the suspect.
Hernandez had been living in the US illegally since early 2023, authorities revealed. Prior to Morin’s murder, he is suspected of being involved in violent crimes in El Salvador and Los Angeles. The breakthrough in Morin’s case came on what would have been her 38th birthday, leading to Hernandez’s arrest in Tulsa.
Sheriff Gahler emphasized the heinous nature of the crime and the illegal status of the suspect, highlighting the importance of pursuing justice for victims like Morin. The arrest of Hernandez brings closure to a community still reeling from the tragedy, as authorities work towards ensuring that those responsible for such violent acts are held accountable.