A TikToker found guilty of murdering his estranged wife and her friend left a final message on Instagram before heading to prison.
Ali Abulaban, known as ‘JinnKid’ on social media, received two consecutive 25-year sentences for the murders of Ana Abulaban, 28, and Rayburn Cardenas Barron, 29, in San Diego in October 2021.
Before the sentencing, six loved ones of Ana and Rayburn delivered victim impact statements to the court.
Ana’s sister, among those who spoke, expressed her anguish over the devastating loss her family had suffered.
She said: “I had no idea that my sister’s life would be miserable living with you. You treated my sister like she didn’t matter, but she mattered.”
At the time of the murders, the couple was estranged, and Abulaban later admitted to having previously struck his wife.
He had also installed a listening device on their daughter’s iPad and overheard what he believed to be a man’s voice.
The court heard that Abulaban went to Ana’s home, where he found her and Rayburn, and then shot them both dead.
In a televised court hearing, Abulaban stated: “I’m shooting and I can’t stop,” adding: “I just snapped.”
After Abulaban confessed to the killings, the jury had to determine whether the murders were first or second degree.
Generally, first degree murder is defined as premeditated and intentional, while second degree murder is intentional but not premeditated.
In the end, Abulaban was convicted of two counts of first degree murder.
The TikToker, who had amassed over a million followers through his impressions of movie and video game characters, posted a final message on Instagram.
The post began with a typo, addressing ‘dead friends’ instead of ‘dear friends.’
It read: “I would like to share a few words with you all before I leave for prison in the morning.
Regardless of how you all may feel about me, my content or this heartbreaking tragedy – the bottom line is that I have done something terrible. Due to my irresponsible behaviour and lack of self-control, two innocent lives were taken and I am at fault. No excuse is acceptable and I will no longer attempt to use my platform as a means of defending myself. I had my opportunity to speak during trial and have fully explained my honest intentions were on that terrible day. Non the less, I was found guilty and now I must face the music and walk this path ahead of me.”
He continued: “At this time, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to leave you all with this message: I am so very sorry for my actions and I am ashamed at how pathetic and selfish I had been. Most importantly, I am eternally devastated by the haunting reality that I have forever hurt the love of my life and fatally injured the man beside her.
Neither of them deserved this outcome and I am forever indebted to the victims’ families. It is my hope that the life sentences I received have at least begun the healing process for you all.”
He also addressed his ‘viewers and past supporters’ before stating he had to ‘pay my dues’ and concluded: “Thanks again and goodbye for now.”
During Abulaban’s sentencing, San Diego Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Fraser remarked: “He’s a very selfish person, as I think the jury saw.
“The bottom line here is, he will die in prison, he will never be a free man. He will take his last breath there.”