Domestic Abuse Turns Lethal: TikTok Star Kills Wife and Friend

Domestic violence can become lethal. On May 29, 2024, TikTok star Ali Abulaban, known as JinnKid, was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder of his estranged wife Ana and her friend Rayburn Barron. Abulaban will be back in court on September 6, 2024, for sentencing. At first glance, this is a crime of murder assuredly. However, this is also a case of domestic violence and the fatal outcome of many victims. There are units in district attorneys' offices that are dedicated solely to domestic violence, and yet it remains a systemic issue with deadly consequences. Abulaban acknowledged being physically abusive with Ana multiple times, particularly when he felt disrespected or jealous. This case exemplifies the dangers of abuse and how victims like Ana need the justice system for protection before it’s too late.

Facts of the TikTok Star Murder Case

Ali and Ana Abulaban met in 2014 in Japan, where he served in the Air Force. He was later discharged for assault and was forced to move back to Virginia where his family lived. The couple discovered Ana was pregnant and Abulaban got a visa for her to join him in Virginia. He then started making a living providing content on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. In 2019, Abulaban gained an online presence under the name @Jinnkid. His popularity grew as he reached 1 million followers engaging in sketch comedy and impressions of Tony Montana from the film Scarface, Tekashi 6ix9ine, and characters from the video game Skyrim. As his fame began to rise, he garnered millions of views for each video. In 2021, Ana convinced Abulaban that a move west would be good for his career. She was also gaining popularity on social media, making him angry, possessive, and jealous.

Domestic Violence in the TikTok Star Murder Case

Abulaban abused Ana physically and emotionally. At times, he recorded fights with her where voice memos relayed him constantly accusing her of cheating. Friends testified that he viewed her as his property. The prosecution displayed texts that Ana was fearful of her husband and wanted out of the marriage. She was even about to apply for a restraining order to secure her safety. Abulaban testified that during a particular fight, he had believed that Ana had slept with one of his friends, and high on cocaine he "snapped" and punched her three times in the face. A few days later he stated that when she wanted to go to a party, he caused her head to strike the refrigerator. After numerous incidents of domestic violence, Ana broke up with Abulaban, and they agreed she would reside in their apartment. On October 25, 2021, he used a copy of a key to enter the apartment and vandalize it. He also installed an app on his daughter's iPad that allowed him to spy on his estranged wife in case she was disloyal. After coming home to find her place ransacked, Ana called Barron to come over and help clean up. Abulaban heard the two of them laughing on his daughter's iPad and broke into the apartment killing both by shooting them at close range in the head.

Domestic violence typically includes a particular cycle in which the perpetrator maintains a hold on the victim. Specifically, the cycle of abuse as described four decades ago by psychologist Lenore Walker refers to the cyclical nature of emotional and physical abuse by the perpetrator with four key stages: (a) tension building, (b) the incident of abuse, (c) reconciliation, and (d) calm. Once the perpetrator realizes the victim may leave them, they show deep remorse for their abuse and convince the victim to stay. However, the calm period is brief, and they become agitated and dysregulated again in the tension-building phase before the physical violence starts over. Police departments have intensive training on how to handle domestic violence cases so victims feel safe to obtain restraining orders once violence is reported. Mandatory no-drop policies exist in district attorney's offices to ensure these cases are fully prosecuted. However, despite all we know about this systemic problem, victims like Ana die every day at the hands of their partners.

Statistics of Domestic Violence

1. One in three U.S. women experience physical violence, sexual violence, and stalking by a current or former intimate partner throughout their lifetimes as projected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
2. More than half of female homicide victims are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.
3. Firearms are used in more than 50 percent of these intimate partner violence-related homicides.
4. Intimate partner violence involves physical and sexual violence, intimidation and threats, and psychological abuse.
5. Perpetrators treat victims like their property.
6. Perpetrators typically exhibit insecure, possessive, controlling, and jealous tendencies toward the victim and often accuse them of being unfaithful.
7. Less than half of all victims of domestic violence report their abuse to the police or obtain a restraining order.

Domestic violence can have fatal outcomes for victims. The prosecutorial evidence here demonstrated that Ana lived in fear for her life with Abulaban. He constantly broke her emotionally and physically beat her. He would apologize after abusing her and beg her to stay. The TikTokker's insecurities led him to control his wife and persistently challenge her loyalty. He was overtly jealous and unable to regulate his emotions, which is typical of abuse perpetrators. According to testimony, she wanted out of her marriage and was on the cusp of applying for a restraining order before Abulaban brutally murdered her and Barron. It is vital that we ensure that victims like Ana get support from the criminal justice system before the outcome of their abuse is lethal.