Virginia man acquitted by insanity in killing flees US during 48-hour mental hospital pass

"The Acquittee failed to return to NVMHI on July 8, 2026, as required," the filing states.

His departure came shortly after a judge determined he remained mentally ill and needed inpatient treatment.

"On June 29, 2026, this Court found that the Acquittee remained mentally ill and in need of inpatient hospitalization," court documents state.

NVMHI authorized Toshpulodzoda to leave on July 6. Court records show he left the approved placement and headed to Dulles instead of returning to the facility.

FOX 5 reported that Toshpulodzoda had previously been allowed to travel to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to obtain a passport, with support from the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.

After Toshpulodzoda failed to return, NVMHI placed him on escape status, revoked his pass and issued a facility warrant.

Virginia State Police and federal authorities were notified, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued an alert in case he attempted to return to the United States.

A bench warrant was later issued for his arrest, according to FOX 5.

"Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda was found by clinicians to be insane at the time he killed Mohammad Hemmatian - a legal finding that means the Commonwealth would be unable to secure a conviction at trial," the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney's office said in a statement.

"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. A bench warrant was issued immediately following notice that he had escaped custody, so if he enters the U.S., he will be arrested and brought to Virginia."

The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney's office, the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute and Turkish Airlines could not immediately be reached by Fox News Digital for comment.