Virginia Man Found Not Guilty by Insanity in 2019 Murder Flees U.S. During Authorized Mental Hospital Leave

Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda departed the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute on July 6 with authorization for a 48-hour community pass but never returned, instead traveling to Tajikistan on an international flight. Court documents reveal he proceeded to Washington Dulles International Airport and boarded a Turkish Airlines flight through Istanbul before reaching Dushanbe, his final destination. Facility officials filed paperwork noting his failure to return on the required date of July 8, 2026.

Toshpulodzoda had been placed in state custody in 2022 following a judicial determination that he was legally insane at the time he killed his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian. The insanity finding prevented criminal prosecution, as it established he lacked the mental capacity required for conviction. A judge had reaffirmed just days before his departure that he remained mentally ill and required continued inpatient hospitalization.

Virginia law permits mental health facilities to grant certain committed individuals unaccompanied passes of up to 48 hours for community activities. The institute had previously supported Toshpulodzoda’s travel to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to obtain a passport, with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office in agreement. His July departure, however, deviated sharply from the approved itinerary.

Following his disappearance, NVMHI revoked his pass status and declared him in escape status while issuing a facility warrant. Virginia State Police and federal authorities received notification, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued an alert regarding potential re-entry attempts. A bench warrant was subsequently issued for his arrest.

The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office stated prosecutors had opposed his release during annual review hearings and would seek his arrest if he reenters the United States. The office confirmed that a bench warrant was immediately issued once authorities learned of his escape from custody and that he will be arrested and returned to Virginia if apprehended.