Saturday, 20 Apr 2024

'Rapist' released from jail due to coronavirus 'who then murdered his sex assault victim' kills himself as cops close in

A MAN who was jailed for allegedly raping a woman and later killing her after he was freed from jail due to COVID concerns has killed himself, police said.

Ibrahim Bouaichi, 33, had been accused of sexually assaulting Kayla Dominguez, 31, in her Alexandria, Virginia, apartment in October 2019.

He was indicted last year on charges that included rape, strangulation, and abduction, and turned himself in to authorities that month and was ordered held without bond.

Dominguez testified against Bouaichi in Alexandria District Court in December.

But as the coronavirus pandemic hit the US, Bouaichi’s lawyers argued that he should be freed while waiting for his trial because the virus endangered both inmates and their attorneys.

On April 9, Bouaichi was freed by Circuit Judge Nolan Dawkins on a $25,000 bond.

Bouaichi was only allowed to leave his home in Maryland to meet his attorneys or court officials.

Police said that on July 29, Bouaichi allegedly shot and killed Dominguez, who was said to be in a four-month relationship with him.

The attacker went on the run after allegedly killing his victim and was branded "armed and dangerous" by law enforcement officials, The Washington Post reported.

He was then spotted by US Marshals near Alexandria County on Wednesday and was chased down by police.

Bouaichi crashed his car and then shot himself and was hospitalized in critical condition.

On Saturday, the Post reported that Bouaichi died from the gunshot wound from earlier in the week.

Bouaichi’s family said in a statement: “Our brother and son Ibrahim died today, having taken his own life.

“We are incredibly saddened by Karla’s death and wish this tragedy had never happened,” his family continued.

“As we lay our son to rest, we ask for peace for everyone involved as we grieve our losses.”

Police said Dominguez was a native of Venezuela and did not have family in this country.

His attorneys, Manuel Leiva and Frank Salvato, said they were “certainly saddened by the tragedy both families have suffered here.”

The lawyers said they “were looking forward to trial. Unfortunately the pandemic continued the trial date by several months and we didn’t get the chance to put forth our case.”

Judge Dawkins, who freed Bouaichi, retired in June, and did not respond to the Post’s request for comment.

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