A Virginia man found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2019 killing of his landlord left the United States while on an approved 48-hour pass from a state mental health facility. Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda departed the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute on July 6, 2026, but did not return as required two days later. Court records indicate that he flew from Washington Dulles International Airport through Istanbul to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Authorities revoked his pass, issued warrants and notified state and federal agencies.
Toshpulodzoda had remained in state custody after a 2022 finding that he was not guilty by reason of insanity in the death of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian. A judge had determined on June 29, 2026, that he was still mentally ill and required inpatient treatment. Virginia law nevertheless permits certain committed patients to take unaccompanied community visits lasting up to 48 hours.
The case has prompted renewed attention to how supervised community passes are managed for people under civil commitment. Officials said that a bench warrant was issued after the facility reported the escape, and that Toshpulodzoda would be arrested and returned to Virginia if he reenters the United States.
| 1) | The approved pass and missed return |
| 2) | The international route from Virginia |
| 3) | The insanity finding and continued custody |
| 4) | The response from Virginia and federal authorities |
| 5) | The legal consequences of returning |
The approved pass and missed return
Toshpulodzoda left the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute in Falls Church, Virginia, on July 6 under an authorized 48-hour community pass. The arrangement required him to return to the facility by July 8. Court documents state that he did not return, prompting the institute to place him on escape status, revoke the pass and issue a facility warrant.
The pass was granted even though a judge had recently concluded that Toshpulodzoda remained mentally ill and needed inpatient hospitalization. The visit was permitted under Virginia rules that allow some committed patients to leave a facility without an escort for up to 48 hours.
The international route from Virginia
Rather than returning to the hospital, Toshpulodzoda traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia. Airline records attached to the court filing show that he boarded a Turkish Airlines flight to Istanbul and then continued to Dushanbe, the capital of Tajikistan.
The records establish the route used to leave the country, while the court filing identifies July 6 as the date he departed the facility. The documents do not describe how he traveled from the hospital to the airport or whether anyone accompanied him.
The insanity finding and continued custody
Toshpulodzoda was committed to the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services in 2022 after being found not guilty by reason of insanity in the killing of Hemmatian, his landlord, in 2019. The finding meant prosecutors could not secure a criminal conviction because he was legally considered insane when the killing occurred.
The determination did not mean he was released from state control. Prosecutors opposed his release at annual review hearings, including a hearing in June 2026. On June 29, a judge ordered that he continue receiving inpatient treatment at a state behavioral health facility.
“The Acquittee failed to return to NVMHI on July 8, 2026, as required,” the court filing stated.
The response from Virginia and federal authorities
After the missed return, the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute notified Virginia State Police and federal authorities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued an alert in case Toshpulodzoda attempted to enter the United States again, and a bench warrant was later issued for his arrest.
The Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said clinicians had determined that Toshpulodzoda was insane when Hemmatian was killed. The office also said prosecutors had consistently opposed his release and that the warrant was issued immediately after officials learned he had escaped custody.
The legal consequences of returning
Toshpulodzoda’s departure does not cancel the court’s inpatient-treatment order. According to the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, he would be arrested if he entered the United States and brought back to Virginia under the bench warrant.
The case also highlights the distinction between a not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity finding and an unconditional release. Although the 2019 killing did not result in a conventional criminal conviction, Toshpulodzoda remained subject to state custody because courts determined that he continued to require hospitalization.
| 1 | Toshpulodzoda left a Virginia mental health facility on July 6, 2026, for an approved 48-hour pass. |
| 2 | He did not return and traveled from Dulles through Istanbul to Dushanbe, Tajikistan. |
| 3 | A judge had ordered continued inpatient treatment after finding him still mentally ill. |
| 4 | Virginia and federal authorities issued alerts, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. |
Summary
A Virginia man under state custody after an insanity acquittal left the country during a permitted hospital pass and failed to return. Court records identify a route from Dulles to Tajikistan and show that authorities responded with escape notifications, alerts and a bench warrant. The existing treatment order remains in effect, and officials said he would be arrested if he returns to the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Abdulloi Toshpulodzoda in a mental health facility?
He was committed to Virginia state custody after being found not guilty by reason of insanity in the 2019 killing of his landlord, Mohammad Hemmatian.
When did he leave the facility?
He left the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute on July 6, 2026, on an approved 48-hour pass and was required to return on July 8.
Where did he travel?
Court records show that he traveled to Washington Dulles International Airport, flew to Istanbul and then continued to Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
What happens if he returns to the United States?
Authorities said he would be arrested under a bench warrant and brought back to Virginia.
