In a deeply emotional moment at the White House on Wednesday, Patty Morin — the mother of Rachel Morin, who was brutally murdered in 2023 — shared a heartbreaking account of her daughter’s death, calling for stricter immigration enforcement and expressing support for policies aimed at removing violent criminals from the country.
Rachel Morin, an American citizen, was raped and murdered in August 2023 while hiking in Bel Air, Maryland. The suspect, Victor Antonio Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant and fugitive from El Salvador, was recently convicted in connection with the case.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt introduced Patty Morin during the briefing, using the platform to sharply criticize Democratic immigration policies. She also condemned Maryland Democrat Senator Chris Van Hollen for traveling to El Salvador—allegedly using taxpayer funds—in connection with MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
“Senator Van Hollen flew to El Salvador to advocate for the release of an illegal alien and known MS-13 gang member. Let me be clear: Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not a ‘Maryland father.’ He is a foreign terrorist with a lawful deportation order,” said Leavitt, adding that Garcia would be immediately deported again if he ever reentered the U.S.
Leavitt accused Democrats of prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens, stating, “These are the kinds of criminals President Trump wants to remove from our country—violent individuals with no remorse, who threaten the safety of our people.”
When Patty Morin took the podium, she gave a chilling description of her daughter’s final moments and the injuries she suffered. “There wasn’t one inch of her body that didn’t show signs of trauma—bruises, broken bones, a fractured skull. It was brutal,” she said through tears.
She also described the accused killer’s demeanor in court, saying, “He showed no remorse. He looked like he thought he would walk free.”
Patty recounted how disturbing the crime scene images were, noting they had to be sealed to protect her granddaughters. “These are the criminals we must keep out. Why should we allow such people to murder our mothers, sisters, and daughters? We are American citizens. We deserve protection.”
The room was silent as Patty spoke, visibly shaken by her loss. No questions were asked afterward, as reporters sat in somber reflection.
Victor Martinez-Hernandez was convicted earlier this week. His case has reignited political tensions over immigration, with Republicans calling for stronger border security and Democrats criticizing the Trump administration’s handling of related deportation efforts.
The briefing underscored a broader debate over the balance between national security and immigration policy, with voices like Patty Morin’s bringing a deeply personal perspective to the national stage.
