You probably remember JinnKid. If you were on TikTok or Instagram in 2021, you definitely saw his impressions. He did Skyrim NPCs. He did Tony Montana from Scarface. He was actually good at it. But while millions of people were laughing at his videos, a horrific, real-life tragedy was unfolding in a luxury high-rise in San Diego. The story of Ali Abulaban and his wife Ana Abulaban isn't just another true crime headline. It’s a messy, violent, and deeply disturbing look at how social media fame can mask domestic abuse until it’s way too late.
The Rise of JinnKid and the Reality for Ana Abulaban
Ali Abulaban didn't just stumble into fame. He obsessed over it. By the time 2021 rolled around, he had nearly a million followers on TikTok. To the outside world, Ali and Ana Abulaban were a glamorous, successful couple living the dream in a swanky apartment at the Spire San Diego complex. They had a young daughter. They had money. They had the "influencer" lifestyle.
But behind the camera? It was a nightmare.
Court records and testimony from the 2024 trial painted a picture of a relationship defined by extreme control. Ali was reportedly incredibly insecure. He was also struggling with significant substance abuse issues, specifically cocaine, which fueled his paranoia. Ana, by all accounts, was trying to leave. She wanted out. Friends testified that she was terrified of him. This wasn't a "mutual" breakup. It was a woman trying to escape a man who viewed her as a possession rather than a partner.
The Breakdown of a Marriage
By October 2021, the situation had reached a breaking point. Ana had asked Ali to move out. He checked into a hotel, but he didn't stay away. This is where the story moves from domestic strife into something much more calculated. Ali wasn't just "upset." He was stalking her.
He didn't need to sit in a car outside the building to do it, either. Ali used technology. He secretly installed a listening app on his daughter’s iPad. He left the iPad in the apartment. He waited. On October 21, 2021, he heard Ana laughing with another man. That man was Rayburn Cardenas Barron, a friend of Ana’s.
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Ali didn't call the police. He didn't call a lawyer. He drove to the apartment with a loaded handgun.
The San Diego Spire Shooting
The details of what happened inside that apartment are chilling. Security footage from the Spire San Diego showed Ali entering the building with a sense of purpose. He didn't hesitate. When he entered the unit, he found Ana and Rayburn on the couch.
He shot them.
He shot Rayburn multiple times—in the head, neck, and torso. He shot Ana in the head. Then, in a move that still shocks people who followed the trial, he took photos of the bodies. He called his mother. He even picked up his daughter from school while the bodies were still in the apartment. It’s hard to wrap your head around that kind of detachment.
When the trial finally happened in 2024, the defense tried to argue "heat of passion." They wanted the jury to believe Ali just snapped because of the "betrayal." But the prosecution hit back hard. They pointed to the stalking, the iPad bugging, and the history of physical abuse. You don't just "snap" into installing spyware on a child's tablet. That’s planning. That’s intent.
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A Public Trial and a Final Verdict
The trial of Ali Abulaban was a media circus, partly because he couldn't stop talking. Usually, defendants stay quiet. Ali? He took the stand. He gave rambling, emotional testimony that often felt like he was still performing for an audience. He cried. He shouted. He tried to frame himself as the victim of a "broken heart" and drug addiction.
It didn't work.
In May 2024, a jury found him guilty on two counts of first-degree murder. The jury also found the "special circumstances" allegations of multiple murders to be true. This was a massive win for the prosecution, led by Deputy District Attorney Taren Brast. She successfully argued that this wasn't a crime of passion, but a crime of control.
Why the Ali Abulaban Story Still Matters
We see these stories a lot, but this one sticks because of the digital footprint. We can go back and watch the videos Ali was posting just days before the murders. It’s surreal. He looks normal. He looks happy. It’s a stark reminder that what we see on TikTok is a curated lie.
There are a few things people often get wrong about this case:
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- The "Affair" Narrative: Many people initially assumed Ana was cheating. While Ali claimed this, friends and family clarified that Ana and Ali were separated. She was a single woman trying to move on with her life. Rayburn was a friend she was spending time with.
- The "Suddenly Snapped" Idea: Domestic violence experts point out that this was a classic escalation. There were reports of a previous incident in September where Ali pushed Ana. The murder wasn't a one-off event; it was the final act in a long cycle of abuse.
- The Influence of Drugs: While Ali used his cocaine use as a defense, the law generally doesn't excuse murder because you were high, especially when you had the presence of mind to bug an iPad and drive across town.
Understanding the Legal Outcome
In September 2024, Ali Abulaban was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison without the possibility of parole. Judge Jeffrey Fraser didn't hold back during the sentencing. He called Ali a "selfish" person who killed two people because he couldn't handle the fact that his wife wanted to leave him.
The judge specifically noted that Ali's daughter—who was only five at the time—is the ultimate victim here. She lost her mother, and her father is a murderer. It’s a generational trauma that no amount of viral fame can ever fix.
Lessons from the Tragedy
If you or someone you know is dealing with a partner who shows signs of extreme jealousy or controlling behavior, it’s not something to "wait out." It doesn't get better on its own. The Abulaban case is an extreme example, but the patterns are common.
- Technology is a Tool for Abuse: Spyware, location tracking, and shared accounts are frequently used by abusers to maintain control. If you're leaving, change your passwords and check your devices for apps you didn't install.
- The Most Dangerous Time is Leaving: Statistics show that the risk of lethal violence increases significantly when a victim leaves or tells the abuser they are leaving. Safety planning is essential.
- Fame is a Mask: Don't assume that because someone is funny, successful, or popular online, they are a good person behind closed doors.
Critical Resources for Help
If you’re in a situation that feels unsafe, you don't have to navigate it alone. There are people who do this for a living.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: Call 800-799-7233 or text "START" to 88788. They can help you create a safety plan that doesn't involve your partner knowing.
- Tech Safety: Organizations like the Clinic to End Tech Abuse (CETA) provide guides on how to secure your digital life if you suspect you’re being tracked.
- Legal Aid: Look for local organizations that provide pro bono legal help for restraining orders. Sometimes, a piece of paper is just a piece of paper, but it’s a necessary step in the legal paper trail.
The story of Ana and Ali Abulaban is a tragedy that didn't have to happen. It's a reminder that the person behind the screen is rarely the person in the room. Stay skeptical, stay safe, and watch out for your friends. If something feels off, it probably is.
Next Steps for Support and Safety:
If you suspect a friend is in an abusive relationship, do not confront the abuser directly. Instead, offer a safe, private space for your friend to talk. Help them document incidents of abuse or stalking in a secure location that the partner cannot access, such as a cloud drive with a new password or a physical journal kept at a trusted neighbor's house. Accessing professional advocacy services early is the most effective way to manage the high-risk period of separation.