Virginia Murder Acquittee Vanishes During 48-Hour Pass
A Virginia man found not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2019 killing left the United States on a one-way flight to Tajikistan after failing to return from an authorized 48-hour pass at a state mental health facility…
A Virginia man found not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2019 killing left the United States on a one-way flight to Tajikistan after failing to return from an authorized 48-hour pass at a state mental health facility, according to court records.
According to Fox News, Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda was allowed to leave the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute on July 6.
He was required to return two days later, but instead traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport, boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul, and then continued to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
"The Acquittee failed to return to NVMHI on July 8, 2026, as required," a court filing states.
Toshpulodzoda had been committed to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 2022 after being found not guilty by reason of insanity in the killing of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian.
The finding meant prosecutors determined Toshpulodzoda was legally insane when Hemmatian was killed and could not be convicted at trial under Virginia law.
His escape came shortly after a judge ruled that Toshpulodzoda remained mentally ill and required inpatient treatment.
Court records say that determination was made June 29, just days before he was granted the community pass.
Virginia law permits certain patients committed to state mental health facilities to receive unaccompanied community visits lasting as long as 48 hours.
Toshpulodzoda had previously received permission to travel to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to obtain a passport, according to FOX 5.
That trip was supported by the Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
After he failed to return to the facility, NVMHI revoked his pass and placed him on escape status. A facility warrant was issued, and Virginia State Police and federal authorities were notified.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection also issued an alert in case Toshpulodzoda attempted to return to the United States. A judge later issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
"Following that 2022 finding, prosecutors have opposed his release at annual review hearings, including in June of this year, where a judge ordered that he continue to be confined in a state behavioral health facility," the Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney's Office said.
The office said the bench warrant was issued immediately after authorities learned Toshpulodzoda had escaped custody.
"If he enters the U.S., he will be arrested and brought to Virginia," prosecutors said.