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Police arrest suspect in Maryland jogger rape-murder case.

Victor Martinez-Hernandez, Salvadoran, 23, is charged with the murder of Rachel Morin, 37, in Bel Air, Maryland.

Published June 18, 2024 at 4:26pm by Jonathan Limehouse

Justice for Rachel Morin: Suspect Arrested in Oklahoma

A year-long manhunt for the killer of 37-year-old Rachel Morin has led to the arrest of Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, 23, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Martinez-Hernandez is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree rape, ending a tragic chapter in the search for justice.

The young mother of five whose life was violently taken in a public location, that is one of the safest places in the state, is not supposed to happen. I'm here to tell you, Rachel's murderer is no longer free. Hopefully, he will never have the opportunity to walk free again. — Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler

Timeline of Events:

Aug. 5, 2023: Morin went missing at 6 p.m., last seen on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. Her boyfriend reported her missing at 11:20 p.m.
August 6: Morin's body was found near the trail, sparking a nationwide investigation.
August 9: Authorities release security cam footage of a suspect in Southern California, believed to be connected to the case.
August 17: DNA evidence links the suspect to an assault on a 9-year-old girl and her mother during a home invasion in Southern California on March 26.
September 7: The Harford County Sheriff’s Office releases a video update, revealing their extensive search for additional witnesses and evidence, and plans for increased patrol and cameras along the trail.
February 12: A finalized sketch of the suspect is released.
June 14: Tulsa Police apprehend Martinez-Hernandez, wanted for trespassing and now charged with the killing and rape of Morin.

The Suspect: Martinez-Hernandez, an El Salvadoran citizen, is accused of murdering a young woman in El Salvador in January 2023. He entered the U.S. illegally in February 2023, according to investigators. He now awaits extradition to Maryland, which could take up to 60 days. Sheriff Gahler assures the public that Morin's case will take precedence over his pending charges in California, Tulsa, and El Salvador.

The motive behind Morin's murder remains unclear, but authorities believe Martinez-Hernandez may have been in the Bel Air area and could have targeted her. The investigation continues as authorities seek more information from the public to ensure justice for Rachel Morin and her grieving family.

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