Virginia Man Acquitted by Insanity Flees U.S. During Approved Mental Health Pass

A Virginia man, previously found not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2019 homicide, departed the United States on a one-way flight to Tajikistan while on an authorized 48-hour leave from a state mental health institution, according to court documents.

Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda left the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) on July 6 for a sanctioned two-day pass. He was scheduled to return to the facility two days later, on July 8, but never did, court records indicate.

Instead of returning, Toshpulodzoda proceeded to Washington Dulles International Airport. There, he boarded a Turkish Airlines flight bound for Istanbul, then continued on to Dushanbe, Tajikistan, as detailed in court filings.

The Acquittee failed to return to NVMHI on July 8, 2026, as required.

Commitment and Prior Rulings

Toshpulodzoda was placed under the custody of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 2022. This occurred after a court determined he was not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian.

His departure from the country took place shortly after a judicial review concluded that he remained mentally ill and required continued inpatient treatment.

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

Despite this recent finding, Virginia legislation permits mental health facilities to grant certain committed patients unaccompanied community visits, which can extend up to 48 hours.

NVMHI granted Toshpulodzoda permission to leave on July 6. Court records show that he deviated from his approved placement, heading directly to Dulles Airport instead of returning to the institute.

Airline documentation appended to the court filing confirms a Turkish Airlines itinerary originating from Dulles, with a stop in Istanbul, and a final destination of Dushanbe.

It was also reported that Toshpulodzoda had previously been allowed to travel to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to obtain a passport, a trip supported by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Official Response and Search Efforts

Following Toshpulodzoda's failure to return, NVMHI classified him as an escapee, revoked his pass, and issued a facility warrant. Virginia State Police and federal authorities were promptly notified of the situation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection subsequently issued an alert, designed to flag any attempt by him to re-enter the United States.

A bench warrant for his arrest was later issued by the courts.

The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office released a statement regarding the case:

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. 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.