A Virginia man found not guilty by reason of insanity in a 2019 homicide has reportedly fled the United States while on an authorized 48-hour leave from a state psychiatric facility. Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda departed the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute (NVMHI) on July 6, with his return expected two days later. However, instead of reporting back as scheduled, court documents indicate he traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport and boarded a flight to Tajikistan.
Patient’s Disappearance and International Travel
According to court filings cited by local news, Toshpulodzoda was on an approved community visit when he failed to return to NVMHI on July 8. His itinerary, detailed in airline records attached to a court filing, shows a Turkish Airlines flight from Dulles to Istanbul, with a subsequent connection to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan. This departure marks a significant breach of his commitment to the facility.
Legal Background and Commitment Status
Toshpulodzoda was committed to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 2022. This commitment followed a legal finding that he was not guilty by reason of insanity for the death of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian. The ruling meant that while he was responsible for the act, his mental state at the time precluded a criminal conviction.
The court’s decision in 2022 was based on a determination that Toshpulodzoda suffered from a severe mental illness. This legal status requires ongoing inpatient treatment and supervision. Notably, his disappearance occurred shortly after a judge reaffirmed his need for continued inpatient hospitalization on June 29, 2026, stating, “this Court found that the Acquittee remained mentally ill and in need of inpatient hospitalization.”
Virginia’s Law on Community Passes
Despite the court’s assessment of his mental state, Virginia law permits mental health facilities to grant certain committed patients unaccompanied community visits. These passes can last up to 48 hours. NVMHI had authorized Toshpulodzoda’s departure on July 6 under these provisions.
The facility’s authorization for a community visit, however, did not anticipate his decision to travel internationally. Court records show he left the approved placement and proceeded directly to Dulles Airport, bypassing his required return to the institute.
Authorities’ Response and Alert
Upon Toshpulodzoda’s failure to return, NVMHI officially placed him on escape status. His pass was revoked, and a facility warrant was issued. Consequently, the Virginia State Police and federal authorities were alerted to his disappearance.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reportedly issued an alert to prevent his potential re-entry into the United States. A bench warrant has since been issued for his arrest. Officials stated that if Toshpulodzoda attempts to return to the U.S., he will be apprehended and brought back to Virginia.
Prosecutor’s Statement on Legal Findings
The Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s office provided context regarding the legal proceedings. A spokesperson explained that the finding of insanity meant the prosecution could not secure a conviction at trial. “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 statement read.
Prosecutors have reportedly opposed Toshpulodzoda’s release at subsequent annual review hearings since his 2022 commitment. The most recent hearing in June 2026 resulted in the judge ordering his continued confinement in the state behavioral health facility. The bench warrant was issued immediately after the facility reported his failure to return, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Previous Travel and Passport Acquisition
Court records also reveal that Toshpulodzoda had previously been permitted to travel to Washington, D.C., in 2024 to obtain a passport. This earlier trip was reportedly facilitated with the support of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, indicating a degree of trust in his compliance with supervised travel protocols at that time.
The current whereabouts of Toshpulodzoda remain unknown, and his flight to Tajikistan raises significant concerns for law enforcement and mental health officials involved in his case. Attempts to reach NVMHI and Turkish Airlines for further comment were ongoing.
