Northeast
Rachel Morin's mom blasts Mayorkas' description of slain daughter after illegal immigrant suspect nabbed
The mother of Rachel Morin – a Maryland mother of five, who was allegedly murdered by an illegal immigrant – blasted Homeland Security Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas for his depersonalization of her daughter, referring to her merely as an “individual” in a statement this week.
During a Tuesday appearance on CNN, where he was asked for his response to “critics who blame the [Biden] administration for allowing” the deaths of Americans at the hands of illegal immigrants, Mayorkas said, “First and foremost, of course our hearts break for the children, the family, the loved ones, the friends of the individual who was murdered, the woman, the mother.”
Patty Morin, Rachel’s mother, took aim at Mayorkas for his remarks during a Wednesday evening appearance on Fox News Channel, claiming the secretary’s remarks were part of a “political statement” that made her daughter “an object.”
“My reaction is that it’s a completely political statement,” Morin told “Ingraham Angle” host Laura Ingraham. “It totally depersonalizes her and makes her an object.”
BIDEN OFFERS ‘CONDOLENCES’ BUT NO SOLUTION AFTER LATEST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT MURDER ALLEGATION
Patty Morin, Rachel’s mother, said DHS Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas’ remarks were part of a “completely political statement” that made her daughter “an object.” (Fox News/Getty Images)
Patty Morin also insisted that the Biden administration’s decision to “categorize [Rachel] as a statistic just shows how impersonal they are, and it also shows how they don’t value life.”
Mayorkas refused to take blame for Morin’s murder in the same interview with CNN on Tuesday, saying, “A criminal is responsible for the criminal act.”
“The criminal who committed this heinous act should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law and forcefully so,” Mayorkas said at the time.
Fox News Digital reached out on Thursday to the Department of Homeland Security for a response to Patty Morin’s remarks and whether the department plans to reach out to the Morin family. Additionally, DHS was asked whether Mayorkas had used Morin’s name in other interviews.
“The Department cannot publicly comment on an ongoing criminal investigation. That said, anyone who commits a horrific and senseless crime, like the one this individual is accused of, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent under the law. Our hearts go out to Rachel Morin’s family,” a DHS spokesperson said in response.
Morin, 37, was reported missing in August by her boyfriend, who said she never returned after going out for a run on the Ma & Pa Trail, a pedestrian trail, in Bel Air, a quiet and typically safe town about 28 miles northeast of Baltimore, on August 5, 2023.
MARYLAND DEMS MOURN MOM ALLEGEDLY MURDERED BY ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT BUT BACK BIDEN’S BORDER ORDER
Victor Martinez Hernandez, 23, was arrested and accused of the murder of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five. (Harford Co. Sheriff’s Office)
Her body was found on a trail the following day.
Victor Martinez Hernandez, the illegal migrant suspected of murdering Morin, was arrested on June 14 after a lengthy 10-month investigation into Morin’s murder. He was charged with rape and first-degree murder.
Hernandez, who has reportedly been in the U.S. since February 2023, was apprehended while “casually sitting” at a bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Police said he arrived in the states only a month after he allegedly murdered a young woman in El Salvador. His DNA was also linked to a March home invasion in Los Angeles where a mother and her nine-year-old daughter were assaulted, according to authorities.
The Harford County Sheriff’s Office in Maryland posted signs at Ma & Pa Trail heads on June 17, 2024, announcing the arrest in the August 2023 murder of Rachel Morin. (Harford County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook)
Hernandez was extradited to Maryland on Thursday to face charges. He was scheduled to leave Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Thursday morning and arrive at Martin State Airport between 12:30 and 1 p.m., the Harford County Police Department confirmed.
Following his arrival in Maryland, the 23-year-old was taken to the Harford County Detention Center.
Fox News’ Michael Lee, Bailee Hill and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
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Boston, MA
PICK IS IN: WR Lewis Bond from Boston College drafted at No. 204 overall
Two offensive picks bookend a linebacker and a safety on Day 3 as the Texans selected WR Lewis Bond out of Boston College with pick No. 204 in the 6th round of the draft.
At just over 5-10 and 190 pounds, Bond hauled in 213 receptions during his time at BC.
In 2025 he was fourth in the nation with 7.3 receptions per game and finished with 993 yards.
Former BC QB Thomas Castellanos called Bond an unbelievable receiver who can do it all. Castellanos described Bond as a very physical receiver who can make plays in space and break tackles, adding that he was open a lot and could have been targeted even more.
Pittsburg, PA
Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 NFL Draft grades: TE Riley Nowakowski
The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Indiana tight end Riley Nowakowski in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Our staff weighs in with their thoughts on the pick.
Ryland Bickley: Here’s your TE3/FB for Mike McCarthy. Nowakowski probably would’ve been a “my guy” in this draft class if I had been able to watch him more. He’s an extremely high-effort run blocker with solid mobility who should be able to find a role on offense right away. Nowakowski is a bit undersized for a tight end and his testing is just OK, but as a fullback I like the pick. We can quibble a bit with taking a returner and fullback with the team’s latest two picks, but in the fifth round you can’t complain about good football players. Grade: B+
Mike Nicastro: Nowakowski is a perfect replacement for Connor Heyward because of his versatility. He’ll play tight end, fullback, and can contribute on special teams. He played a pivotal role on Indiana’s National Championship run – the guy just feels like a winner. Although it still feels like a pick based more on need opposed to value, I like this one much better than Wetjen. Grade: B+
Alex Hanczar: Pittsburgh adds yet another big school player in the form of 2026 National Champion Riley Nowakowski. The departures of Jonnu Smith and Connor Heyward led many to believe the Steelers would add depth at the position and here it is. Aside from solely playing TE, Nowakowksi will likely fill the Heyward role at the FB position. At 6-foot-two 250 pounds, I would not be surprised to see the former Hoosier lineup under center for the ‘tush push’ for the black and gold. Grade: B
Joey Bray: Welcome back Connor Heyward. In all seriousness, Riley Nowakowski is an interesting pick for the Steelers. They needed to take another tight end, but Nowakowski is more of a fullback type. He played a blocking role for Indiana last year when he did line up a tight end, although he’s 32 catches last season were more than he had in his previous four collegiate seasons combined. Nowakowski isn’t particularly fast or dynamic and doesn’t have the size to be a legit receiving threat. He is a good football player and it makes sense that Mike McCarthy would take a fullback, but taking a return man and fullback back-to-back in the mid rounds is an curious use of resources. Grade: C-
Ryan Parish: As harsh as I was on using a 4th rounder on a kick returner-only player, I’m to the moon for this selection. I highlighted Nowakowski in my Tight End draft gems list as a perfect fit for the John Kuhn/Hunter Luepke FB role in Mike McCarthy’s offense. Nowakowski is short for a tight end but perfect for a blocker for a power run scheme. He’s also gotta decent hands and tackle-breaking ability for underneath routes that should make Aaron Rodgers happy. This was a meat and potatoes pick, and yet another sign that the Steelers are veering into a gap/power running scheme. Phenomenal fit. Grade: A++
Jarrett Bailey: The Steelers were always going to take a tight end, being that they released Jonnu Smith and didn’t bring back Connor Heyward. Nowakowski will play that Heyward role. Special teams and No. 3 tight end/fullback. Not great. Not abysmal. Fine. Grade: C
Connecticut
Rain showers slowly spread east today and tonight
Temperatures will warm into the 50s for much of the state unless you’re at the shoreline or near the New York border.
Rain showers will begin in southwest Connecticut this afternoon before slowly spreading to the east through the evening
Much of the state will see rain tonight unless you’re in the far northeast corner of Connecticut.
A few showers could linger in southern and southeastern Connecticut tomorrow morning.
Clouds will linger through much of Sunday with temperatures in the 50s for more of the state.
Monday and Tuesday will be sunnier and seasonal with temperatures well into the 60s.
Cloud cover and rain chances return by the middle of the week.
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