Nabra Hassanen
Teenage Murder and Rape Case
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Sterling, Virginia, U.S.
TIME PERIOD
June 18, 2017
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On June 18, 2017, Nabra Hassanen, a 17-year-old girl from Reston, Virginia, was raped and murdered by Darwin Martinez Torres, a 22-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador. The incident occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. near the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Mosque in Sterling, Virginia, following a dispute between Hassanen and Torres, who pursued her and her friends in his vehicle. After assaulting her with a baseball bat, Torres abducted Hassanen, ultimately leading to her death from blunt force trauma; her body was discovered later that day in a pond. Torres was indicted on multiple charges, including capital murder and rape, and in March 2019, he was sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The investigation concluded that the motive was road rage rather than a hate crime.
The murder of Nabra Hassanen has led to speculation that it may have been a hate crime due to her being a Muslim teenager, despite police classifying it as an act of road rage. Some community members believe that the attack was fueled by anti-Muslim sentiment, while others argue that the circumstances suggest it was primarily a violent reaction to a minor traffic incident. There are also concerns about the implications of the perpetrator's immigration status and how it has influenced public perception and discourse surrounding the case.
The Tragic Fate of Nabra Hassanen
An Ordinary Night Turned Deadly
In the early hours of June 18, 2017, the peaceful town of Sterling, Virginia became the setting for a heinous crime that sent shockwaves through the nation. Nabra Hassanen, a vibrant 17-year-old high school sophomore from Reston, was brutally murdered. What began as a routine night during the holy month of Ramadan ended in tragedy, with Nabra becoming the victim of a vicious assault by 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador.
The night unfolded as Nabra and her group of 15 friends gathered at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center Mosque. After sharing a meal at a nearby McDonald’s, the teenagers made their way back to the mosque between 3 and 4 a.m. It was during this return that an encounter with a man driving a red car, later identified as Torres, spiraled into violence. The confrontation escalated when Torres drove onto the curb, scattering the teenagers. He pursued them into a parking lot, where he caught up with Nabra, striking her with a baseball bat. In the chaos, Nabra’s friends fled back to the mosque, while Torres abducted her, driving off into the night.
The Search and Discovery
As dawn approached, panic set in. At 4 a.m., Fairfax County police launched a search for Nabra, and by 3 p.m., her body was discovered floating in a pond near Torres’s residence in Loudoun County, Virginia. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the upper body, a grim indication of the brutality she suffered. Despite initial fears from Nabra’s family and community that the attack was fueled by anti-Muslim sentiments, police quickly categorized the crime as an act of road rage, dismissing it as a hate crime.
The Investigation Unfolds
The investigation took swift strides when police noticed a suspicious vehicle near the crime scene. The driver, Darwin Martinez Torres, was apprehended and initially charged with second-degree murder. However, as the investigation deepened, it became clear that the crime was far more gruesome. It surfaced that Nabra had been sexually assaulted, prompting additional charges. Authorities, steadfast in their stance, maintained that the attack was not motivated by race or religion but was a tragic outcome of road rage.
The Dark Past of Darwin Martinez Torres
Darwin Martinez Torres, a construction worker and illegal immigrant from El Salvador, had no prior encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before Nabra’s murder. However, a troubling history emerged when a woman revealed to Loudoun County’s Child Protective Services that Torres had previously attacked her, claiming he was associated with the notorious MS-13 gang. She alleged he had punched, choked, and sexually assaulted her, yet declined to press charges. Fairfax County police, after thorough investigation, found no credible evidence linking Torres to the gang.
The Trial and Sentencing
The legal proceedings against Torres began on October 16, 2017, when a Fairfax County grand jury indicted him on eight counts, including capital murder and rape. Prosecutors pursued the death penalty, but defense attorneys countered with a neuropsychological report suggesting Torres might be intellectually disabled. They argued for further evaluation, citing significant cognitive limitations, poor memory, severely impaired judgment, and functional illiteracy. Despite these claims, Torres ultimately pleaded guilty in November 2018 to avoid the death penalty, accepting eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Community Reaction and Mourning
Nabra’s murder struck a chord in the community and beyond. The ADAMS Center Mosque released a statement expressing their devastation and urging unity. Online, discussions flared over the police’s dismissal of the crime as a hate crime. Isabella Burton of Vox captured the sentiment of many, describing Nabra as a symbol of Islamophobia’s innocent victims. In Washington D.C., a memorial at Dupont Circle drew mourners, where an individual was arrested for attempting to vandalize the site.
On June 21, thousands gathered at Lake Anne Village Center in Reston for a vigil, celebrating Nabra’s life. Her funeral drew 5,000 mourners, congesting traffic with a diverse crowd of Muslims, Christians, and Jews united in grief. Her father, Mohmoud Hassanen Aboras, remained convinced that his daughter was targeted because of her faith, a belief echoed by many in the community. CAIR’s Gadeir Abbas emphasized the prevailing fear among Muslim Americans in the wake of such tragedies.
Questioning the Nature of the Crime
As the community grappled with the loss, questions lingered about the true nature of the crime. Was it mere road rage, or was there an underlying bias because of Nabra’s Muslim identity? The debate continued, underscoring the complexities of categorizing hate crimes in a world rife with prejudice.
Sources
- Commonwealth of Virginia v Darwin Martinez (PDF)
- Mallory, Stephanie; Hughes, Mallory (June 19, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen, Muslim teen, killed after leaving Virginia mosque". USA Today.
- Bakarat, Matthew (November 29, 2018). "Man pleads guilty in Muslim teen's 2017 death in Northern Virginia". Richmond Times Dispatch. AP.
- "Police: Nabra Hassanen killed in 'road rage incident'". Al Jazeera. June 20, 2017.
- Rankin, Sarah; Richer, Alanna Durkin (June 20, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen, Muslim Teen, Was Killed Leaving Mosque Because Of Road Rage: Police". Huffington Post Canada. Associated Press.
- Beydoun, Khaled A. (2018). American Islamophobia: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Fear. University of California Press.
- Chemaly, Soraya (2018). Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger. Simon and Schuster.
- "Nabra Hassanen: spectre of hate crime hangs over teenager's funeral". The Guardian. Associated Press. June 21, 2017.
- Shugarman, Emily (June 19, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen's father says she was '100%' killed for being Muslim". The Independent.
- Suerth, Jessica (June 20, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen's murder highlights the challenges of designating a crime a hate crime". CNN.
- Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (June 19, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen: 17-year-old Muslim girl abducted and killed on way home from Virginia mosque". The Independent.
- Dvorak, Petula (June 19, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen's death may not legally be a hate crime, but it sure feels hateful". The Washington Post.
- Chavez, Nicole; DiGiacomo, Janet (November 29, 2018). "Man pleads guilty to rape and murder in killing of Muslim teen attacked near mosque". CNN.
- Jouvenal, Justin (October 16, 2017). "Prosecutors to pursue death penalty against man accused of killing Nabra Hassanen". The Washington Post.
- Sinclair, Harriet (June 20, 2017). "Who Is Darwin Martinez-Torres? Suspect in Murder of Muslim Teen Is Held by ICE". Newsweek.
- Haag, Matthew (June 20, 2017). "Man Charged With Killing Muslim Teenager Entered United States Illegally, Authorities Say". The New York Times.
- Jackman, Tom; Jouvenal, Justin (June 27, 2017). "Suspect in killing of Muslim teen had been accused of a previous assault, report says". The Washington Post.
- Jouvenal, Justin (June 28, 2017). "Police find no 'credible evidence' that Muslim girl's alleged killer is a gang member". The Washington Post.
- "Expert: Man set for trial in killing of Muslim teen may be too impaired to face death penalty". The Washington Post.
- Burton, Tara Isabella. "Nabra Hassanen's murder may not be a hate crime. It's still a tragedy for Muslim Americans". Vox.
- Brennan, Christopher (June 21, 2017). "Man sets fire to memorial for slain Virginia teen Nabra Hassanen". New York Daily News.
- Emke, Dave (June 22, 2017). "Large Crowd Gathers at Lake Anne Plaza to Mourn Nabra Hassanen". Reston Now.
- "Man faces capital rape, murder charges in death of Muslim teen Nabra Hassanen". USA Today.
- "On 18th birthday, slain Fairfax Co. teen honored through volunteer work". WTOP.
- "Va. man pleads guilty to rape and murder of teen girl on Ramadan". WTOP.
- Barakat, Matthew (June 21, 2017). "Thousands Mourn Nabra Hassanen, the Virginia Teen Who Was Beaten to Death". Time. Associated Press.
- "Muslim leaders question police's claim that killing of 17-year-old girl is not a 'hate crime'". WITW.
- Shugerman, Emily (June 20, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen: Police investigating whether murdered Muslim teen was sexually assaulted". The Independent.
- Antonia Blumberg. "Police Call Teen's Beating Death 'Road Rage.' That Doesn't Sit Well With Muslim Americans". Huffington Post.
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Murder of Nabra Hassanen
Nabra Hassanen, a 17-year-old girl, is abducted, raped, and murdered by Darwin Martinez Torres after a dispute.
Body Found
Nabra's body is discovered floating in a pond by police after a search begins.
Indictment of Torres
Darwin Martinez Torres is indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges including capital murder and rape.
Defense Motion Filed
Defense attorneys file a motion questioning Torres's mental capacity to face the death penalty.
Guilty Plea
Darwin Martinez Torres pleads guilty to multiple charges, including capital murder, in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.
Sentencing
Torres is sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
On June 18, 2017, Nabra Hassanen, a 17-year-old girl from Reston, Virginia, was raped and murdered by Darwin Martinez Torres, a 22-year-old illegal immigrant from El Salvador. The incident occurred between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. near the All Dulles Area Muslim Society Mosque in Sterling, Virginia, following a dispute between Hassanen and Torres, who pursued her and her friends in his vehicle. After assaulting her with a baseball bat, Torres abducted Hassanen, ultimately leading to her death from blunt force trauma; her body was discovered later that day in a pond. Torres was indicted on multiple charges, including capital murder and rape, and in March 2019, he was sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. The investigation concluded that the motive was road rage rather than a hate crime.
The murder of Nabra Hassanen has led to speculation that it may have been a hate crime due to her being a Muslim teenager, despite police classifying it as an act of road rage. Some community members believe that the attack was fueled by anti-Muslim sentiment, while others argue that the circumstances suggest it was primarily a violent reaction to a minor traffic incident. There are also concerns about the implications of the perpetrator's immigration status and how it has influenced public perception and discourse surrounding the case.
The Tragic Fate of Nabra Hassanen
An Ordinary Night Turned Deadly
In the early hours of June 18, 2017, the peaceful town of Sterling, Virginia became the setting for a heinous crime that sent shockwaves through the nation. Nabra Hassanen, a vibrant 17-year-old high school sophomore from Reston, was brutally murdered. What began as a routine night during the holy month of Ramadan ended in tragedy, with Nabra becoming the victim of a vicious assault by 22-year-old Darwin Martinez Torres, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador.
The night unfolded as Nabra and her group of 15 friends gathered at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) Center Mosque. After sharing a meal at a nearby McDonald’s, the teenagers made their way back to the mosque between 3 and 4 a.m. It was during this return that an encounter with a man driving a red car, later identified as Torres, spiraled into violence. The confrontation escalated when Torres drove onto the curb, scattering the teenagers. He pursued them into a parking lot, where he caught up with Nabra, striking her with a baseball bat. In the chaos, Nabra’s friends fled back to the mosque, while Torres abducted her, driving off into the night.
The Search and Discovery
As dawn approached, panic set in. At 4 a.m., Fairfax County police launched a search for Nabra, and by 3 p.m., her body was discovered floating in a pond near Torres’s residence in Loudoun County, Virginia. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the upper body, a grim indication of the brutality she suffered. Despite initial fears from Nabra’s family and community that the attack was fueled by anti-Muslim sentiments, police quickly categorized the crime as an act of road rage, dismissing it as a hate crime.
The Investigation Unfolds
The investigation took swift strides when police noticed a suspicious vehicle near the crime scene. The driver, Darwin Martinez Torres, was apprehended and initially charged with second-degree murder. However, as the investigation deepened, it became clear that the crime was far more gruesome. It surfaced that Nabra had been sexually assaulted, prompting additional charges. Authorities, steadfast in their stance, maintained that the attack was not motivated by race or religion but was a tragic outcome of road rage.
The Dark Past of Darwin Martinez Torres
Darwin Martinez Torres, a construction worker and illegal immigrant from El Salvador, had no prior encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement before Nabra’s murder. However, a troubling history emerged when a woman revealed to Loudoun County’s Child Protective Services that Torres had previously attacked her, claiming he was associated with the notorious MS-13 gang. She alleged he had punched, choked, and sexually assaulted her, yet declined to press charges. Fairfax County police, after thorough investigation, found no credible evidence linking Torres to the gang.
The Trial and Sentencing
The legal proceedings against Torres began on October 16, 2017, when a Fairfax County grand jury indicted him on eight counts, including capital murder and rape. Prosecutors pursued the death penalty, but defense attorneys countered with a neuropsychological report suggesting Torres might be intellectually disabled. They argued for further evaluation, citing significant cognitive limitations, poor memory, severely impaired judgment, and functional illiteracy. Despite these claims, Torres ultimately pleaded guilty in November 2018 to avoid the death penalty, accepting eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.
Community Reaction and Mourning
Nabra’s murder struck a chord in the community and beyond. The ADAMS Center Mosque released a statement expressing their devastation and urging unity. Online, discussions flared over the police’s dismissal of the crime as a hate crime. Isabella Burton of Vox captured the sentiment of many, describing Nabra as a symbol of Islamophobia’s innocent victims. In Washington D.C., a memorial at Dupont Circle drew mourners, where an individual was arrested for attempting to vandalize the site.
On June 21, thousands gathered at Lake Anne Village Center in Reston for a vigil, celebrating Nabra’s life. Her funeral drew 5,000 mourners, congesting traffic with a diverse crowd of Muslims, Christians, and Jews united in grief. Her father, Mohmoud Hassanen Aboras, remained convinced that his daughter was targeted because of her faith, a belief echoed by many in the community. CAIR’s Gadeir Abbas emphasized the prevailing fear among Muslim Americans in the wake of such tragedies.
Questioning the Nature of the Crime
As the community grappled with the loss, questions lingered about the true nature of the crime. Was it mere road rage, or was there an underlying bias because of Nabra’s Muslim identity? The debate continued, underscoring the complexities of categorizing hate crimes in a world rife with prejudice.
Sources
- Commonwealth of Virginia v Darwin Martinez (PDF)
- Mallory, Stephanie; Hughes, Mallory (June 19, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen, Muslim teen, killed after leaving Virginia mosque". USA Today.
- Bakarat, Matthew (November 29, 2018). "Man pleads guilty in Muslim teen's 2017 death in Northern Virginia". Richmond Times Dispatch. AP.
- "Police: Nabra Hassanen killed in 'road rage incident'". Al Jazeera. June 20, 2017.
- Rankin, Sarah; Richer, Alanna Durkin (June 20, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen, Muslim Teen, Was Killed Leaving Mosque Because Of Road Rage: Police". Huffington Post Canada. Associated Press.
- Beydoun, Khaled A. (2018). American Islamophobia: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Fear. University of California Press.
- Chemaly, Soraya (2018). Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger. Simon and Schuster.
- "Nabra Hassanen: spectre of hate crime hangs over teenager's funeral". The Guardian. Associated Press. June 21, 2017.
- Shugarman, Emily (June 19, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen's father says she was '100%' killed for being Muslim". The Independent.
- Suerth, Jessica (June 20, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen's murder highlights the challenges of designating a crime a hate crime". CNN.
- Eleftheriou-Smith, Loulla-Mae (June 19, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen: 17-year-old Muslim girl abducted and killed on way home from Virginia mosque". The Independent.
- Dvorak, Petula (June 19, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen's death may not legally be a hate crime, but it sure feels hateful". The Washington Post.
- Chavez, Nicole; DiGiacomo, Janet (November 29, 2018). "Man pleads guilty to rape and murder in killing of Muslim teen attacked near mosque". CNN.
- Jouvenal, Justin (October 16, 2017). "Prosecutors to pursue death penalty against man accused of killing Nabra Hassanen". The Washington Post.
- Sinclair, Harriet (June 20, 2017). "Who Is Darwin Martinez-Torres? Suspect in Murder of Muslim Teen Is Held by ICE". Newsweek.
- Haag, Matthew (June 20, 2017). "Man Charged With Killing Muslim Teenager Entered United States Illegally, Authorities Say". The New York Times.
- Jackman, Tom; Jouvenal, Justin (June 27, 2017). "Suspect in killing of Muslim teen had been accused of a previous assault, report says". The Washington Post.
- Jouvenal, Justin (June 28, 2017). "Police find no 'credible evidence' that Muslim girl's alleged killer is a gang member". The Washington Post.
- "Expert: Man set for trial in killing of Muslim teen may be too impaired to face death penalty". The Washington Post.
- Burton, Tara Isabella. "Nabra Hassanen's murder may not be a hate crime. It's still a tragedy for Muslim Americans". Vox.
- Brennan, Christopher (June 21, 2017). "Man sets fire to memorial for slain Virginia teen Nabra Hassanen". New York Daily News.
- Emke, Dave (June 22, 2017). "Large Crowd Gathers at Lake Anne Plaza to Mourn Nabra Hassanen". Reston Now.
- "Man faces capital rape, murder charges in death of Muslim teen Nabra Hassanen". USA Today.
- "On 18th birthday, slain Fairfax Co. teen honored through volunteer work". WTOP.
- "Va. man pleads guilty to rape and murder of teen girl on Ramadan". WTOP.
- Barakat, Matthew (June 21, 2017). "Thousands Mourn Nabra Hassanen, the Virginia Teen Who Was Beaten to Death". Time. Associated Press.
- "Muslim leaders question police's claim that killing of 17-year-old girl is not a 'hate crime'". WITW.
- Shugerman, Emily (June 20, 2017). "Nabra Hassanen: Police investigating whether murdered Muslim teen was sexually assaulted". The Independent.
- Antonia Blumberg. "Police Call Teen's Beating Death 'Road Rage.' That Doesn't Sit Well With Muslim Americans". Huffington Post.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Murder of Nabra Hassanen
Nabra Hassanen, a 17-year-old girl, is abducted, raped, and murdered by Darwin Martinez Torres after a dispute.
Body Found
Nabra's body is discovered floating in a pond by police after a search begins.
Indictment of Torres
Darwin Martinez Torres is indicted by a grand jury on multiple charges including capital murder and rape.
Defense Motion Filed
Defense attorneys file a motion questioning Torres's mental capacity to face the death penalty.
Guilty Plea
Darwin Martinez Torres pleads guilty to multiple charges, including capital murder, in exchange for avoiding the death penalty.
Sentencing
Torres is sentenced to eight consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.