“If you want to be forgiven, you must first confess your sins to me.” Ali Abulaban, who went by “JinnKid” on social media, admitted during the trial that he shot and killed Ana Abulaban and Rayburn Cardenas Barron
1. From TikTok To Jail
JinnKid was a popular TikTok user who gained millions of views for his comedy skits. His wife Ana often appeared with him.
2. Ana Was Missing
However, keen-eyed fans noticed when she showed less and less, eventually disappearing altogether. They were all wondering what happened to her.
3. The 911 Call
Then, on October 21, 2021, San Diego PD received a call from a man who said he had found two dead bodies in his apartment. The call was made by JinnKid.
4. He Did Not Fool Anybody
But despite claiming that he found the victims already dead, it took police one look at the scene to realize the truth.
5. Ali Called His Mom
A neighbor’s Nest camera captured Ali entering the apartment, followed by the sound of gunshots. It also recorded him calling his mother and confessing to the murder, even sending her pictures.
6. A Confession
“Mom. I just shot and killed Ana. She was with another guy at our house. I just shot and killed Ana”, he confessed.
7. The Murder
“There was no doubt that Ali pulled the trigger, killing both Ana and a man called Rayburn Barron.
8. Was It A Crime Of Passion?
But it was up to the jury to decide if the murders were premeditated or crimes of passion. In any case, it was a terrible scenario for Ali.
9. The Causes
As the trial progressed, it was revealed that Ali and Anna were going through an ugly divorce, including a custody battle over their 5-year-old daughter.
10. Ana Was Starting Over
Apparently, Ali moved out of their home while Ana had become romantically involved with Rayburn. And this is what happened.
11. Ali Was Spying On Ana
When Ali learned of their relationship by spying on Ana through an app he installed on their daughter’s iPad, he went into a rage.
12. He Lost Control
While listening to the app later that day, he overheard his wife and Barron, a man she had been seeing, talking and laughing. That’s when he drove to the complex and opened fire on the victims.
13. The Defense
The defense argued that Ali wasn’t thinking rationally due to the stress of his deteriorating marriage and was also highly dependent on medication.
14. The Charges
If they could convince the jury that he didn’t plan the murders, he would only be charged with manslaughter instead of 1st-degree murder. But the prosecution argued that Ali had abused and threatened Ana before.
15. Prior Violence
The prosecution presented several audio and text messages Abulaban sent his wife. Many of them are extremely graphic.
16. Domestic Violence
A witness stated that there were some instances where they would see that Ana would have bruises around her face. They also pointed out his disturbing search history.
17. Premeditation
The fact that Ali moved and positioned the dead bodies. Right after he shot Anna in the head, he pushed her head down into Ray’s lap.
18. Guilty
Evidently, the attempt to paint Ali as a victim of mental illness did not succeed. The jury found the defendant, Ali Nasser Abulaban, guilty of the crime of murder in the first degree.
19. No Parole For Ali
After 3 years, Ali Abulaban was found guilty of two cases of 1st degree murder. He was sentenced to life without parole.
20. Violent Evidence
What is more terrifying is probably the fact that Ali was so obsessed with fame that he left a trail of violent video evidence detailing the abuse of her wife.
21. The Livestreams
In a livestream to a social media account prior to her murder, Abulaban holds his phone with one hand, and, towering over his wife, who was sitting quietly on the couch, he points an object at her. Looking into the camera, he says: “Don’t get married, guys. I threw my whole life away for her”.
22. Fan Reactions
In comments to the livestream, viewers tell him to “be strong” and “just tc bro,” meaning to take care. But little did they know about what was happening behind the scenes.
23. TikTok Star Murders
Peacock’s original documentary “TikTok Star Murders” pieces together never-before-seen footage of many more of the California couple’s private fights recorded on Abulaban’s cell phone, along with the videos he posted to tell the story of a publicly disintegrating relationship with deadly consequences.
24. The Perfect Couple
At first, “it all seemed so perfect,” Ana’s friend, Rachel Marie Britt, tells Peacock. Known for his viral comedic impressions of characters like Skyrim and Scarface, Abulaban’s videos often included appearances by his young wife.
25. Surrounded By Darkness
He gained popularity in late 2019, but as his follower count ticked upward, his mindset unraveled, say those interviewed in the documentary. “Her light was surrounded by a lot of darkness,” says Britt.
26. A Toxic Relationship
Sometimes, after fights, clothes were strewn all over the house. Once, after he allegedly hit Ana, the left side of her face was bruised over, as shown in the documentary. In one recording featured in the documentary, Ana shakes her head. “Ali, this marriage is not healthy anymore,” she tells her husband.
27. Ali Was A Narcissist
“I gave you this life,” he’s heard saying in another recording. “I’m going to show you how much you need me.”
28. The Police Report
A month before her murder, Ana filed a police report accusing her husband of domestic violence, Deputy District Attorney Taren Brast said in pretrial hearings for his murder trial.
29. Another TikTok Killer
But, unfortunately, this was not the only case where a TikToker became a criminal. A few days ago, TikTok influencer M. Prada was arrested for second-degree murder.
30. Caught Red-Handed
The popular TikTok creator has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of a 69-year-old Louisiana therapist. Terryon Thomas was arrested in Dallas, Texas, after he was allegedly seen driving a stolen car that police said belonged to William Abraham, the therapist.
