Former FBI Special Agent Scott Duffey provided insight into how federal and state law enforcement were able to apprehend the suspect in the multi-state homicide investigation of Rachel Morin. Law enforcement typically starts with loved ones in a homicide investigation, and then moves outward as they exclude those individuals. The FBI’s Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) played a crucial role in this investigation, as a piece of DNA evidence from Los Angeles was matched to the DNA from Morin’s crime scene in Maryland.
The unexpected twist in Morin’s case came when investigators discovered that the suspect, Victor Martinez Hernandez, was an illegal El Salvador migrant. His immigration status led law enforcement to rely on FBI international offices in El Salvador, known as legal attachés. The El Salvador authorities confirmed that Martinez Hernandez had fled his country after committing a brutal murder, prompting the FBI to issue a “red notice” to alert Interpol to be on the lookout for him. The FBI’s presence in El Salvador helped bridge the gap between American and local law enforcement.
Law enforcement was able to use Martinez Hernandez’s digital forensics footprint to piece together the final touches on the investigation. Despite being a wanted fugitive, Martinez Hernandez managed to evade capture for 10 months after Morin’s homicide. The suspect was eventually arrested in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and charged with first-degree murder and rape. It was revealed that Martinez Hernandez had illegally crossed into the United States in February 2023 and had previously committed a brutal murder in El Salvador before fleeing.
Harford County Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler announced the arrest of Martinez Hernandez, expressing belief that Rachel Morin was not his first victim. Martinez Hernandez had committed a brutal home invasion attack on a 9-year-old girl and her mother in Los Angeles before being apprehended for Morin’s murder. Morin’s body was found on a pedestrian trail in Bel Air, Maryland, after her boyfriend reported her missing. The investigation involved coordination between law enforcement agencies in multiple states and countries, leveraging technology and international partnerships to track down the suspect.
Duffey commended the hard work of the investigators in Harford County and Los Angeles, as well as the collaboration between domestic and international law enforcement agencies. The arrest of Martinez Hernandez was a significant breakthrough in the case, bringing closure to the family and justice for Rachel Morin. The use of DNA evidence and digital forensics played a crucial role in connecting the dots and bringing the suspect to justice. The case highlighted the challenges and complexities of cross-border investigations and the importance of coordination between law enforcement agencies at all levels.
