DNA links Victor Martinez-Hernandez to the murder of Rachel Morin

In August 2023, Maryland mother Rachel Morin was found dead near the Ma & Pa Trail, sparking a murder investigation that culminated in the trial of Victor Martinez-Hernandez. The trial began on April 4, 2025, in Harford County, and during the proceedings, key testimonies emerged including that of one of the last individuals to see Morin alive. Kyle Stacy detailed an encounter he had with Morin and a suspicious man on the trail. Additionally, critical DNA evidence was presented, showing a match between Martinez-Hernandez's DNA and samples collected from Morin's body, indicating his possible involvement in the crime. The testimony presented over the trial's six days emphasized both the timeline of Morin’s disappearance and the forensic evidence linking the suspect to the murder. Victims' families shared emotive accounts, recounting the disappearance of Morin and the profound impact it had on their lives. Forensic evidence included essential details on blood found at the scene, contributing to the narrative of violence and the struggle that occurred before Morin’s death. Crucial to the prosecution's case was the DNA testing, which reported an astonishing probability of 1 in 400 nonillion that someone else could match the DNA profile found on Morin. Following a detailed analysis by Tiffany Keener from the Maryland State Police Crime Lab, these results effectively pointed to Martinez-Hernandez, despite his protests of innocence during police questioning. His phone history also revealed troubling searches related to the crime area and images of Morin, further complicating his defense. Defense arguments raised doubts about the methods of evidence collection but did not sufficiently disprove the scientist's findings. As the prosecution rested its case, the trial was left hanging on the upcoming testimonies from defense witnesses and the final deliberation of jurors who would ultimately decide Martinez-Hernandez's fate.