The notorious TikTok personality, Ali Abulaban, who was convicted of the brutal murders of his wife and a man he suspected was involved with her, has been sentenced to life imprisonment. The verdict, delivered by Judge Jeffrey Fraser on September 6, condemned Abulaban to spend the remainder of his life behind bars without the possibility of parole. Additionally, he received an extra 50 years for firearm enhancements, according to Emily Cox from the San Diego County Superior Court.
Judge Fraser’s remarks were unyielding as he addressed Abulaban, declaring, “You will die in prison. You will never be free.” The courtroom erupted in applause as the sentence was announced. The judge criticized Abulaban’s lack of remorse, describing his actions as chillingly selfish.
Abulaban’s lack of remorse and self-pity during the sentencing drew sharp criticism from the judge
During the hearing, Abulaban expressed his belief that he deserved a chance at parole, lamenting the life sentence as a form of eternal damnation. His request was met with disdain, as he had previously demonstrated no remorse for his heinous acts.
The tragic events revealed in October 2021, when Abulaban, already estranged from his wife Ana Marie Abulaban, used a covert listening device on their daughter’s iPad to eavesdrop on her conversations. Discovering another man’s voice in their San Diego apartment, Abulaban violently confronted and killed Rayburn Barron, 29, before turning the gun on Ana and killing her as well. Prior to the murders, Ana had sent a definitive message to Abulaban demanding he leave her life, according to NBC San Diego.
Following the killings, Abulaban confessed to his mother and later during court proceedings, describing his actions as a sudden, uncontrollable outburst. His past behavior included documented abuse and drug use, and his turbulent relationship with Ana was widely known, shared through his social media channels.
Ana’s tragic death has deeply affected her family and friends. Her sister expressed regret over not knowing the full extent of Ana’s suffering, and her community has been left devastated. Ana’s body is to be returned to the Philippines for burial, while her friend Rayburn Barron’s memory is honored by his family, who remember him as a unifying and loyal figure.
