On the morning of December 8th, a Vienna man was convicted of the brutal murder of his girlfriend after a two-year-long legal process. The 36-year-old, Rami El-Sayed, killed his 40-year-old girlfriend, Cara Abbruscato, on September 24th, 2023, during a camping trip at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax. According to sources, the couple had only been dating a short time.
According to reports, they both consumed hallucinogenic mushrooms on the night of the murder, and things took a turn for the worst. Sometime while they were under the influence, El-Sayed stabbed Ms. Abbruscato 17 times, viciously killing her.
According to interviews with Virginia’s Commonwealth attorney, El-Sayed attempted to conceal her body by zipping the tent closed, and then proceeded to flee the scene in Abbruscato’s car and drove to his home town of Paterson, New Jersey.
Six days later, on September 30th, campers discovered a leg sticking out of a tent and called for help to investigate. They dialed 911, and when investigators arrived, they discovered Abbruscato’s body.
As a result of the investigation, El-Sayed quickly became a prime suspect. He was formally arrested in New Jersey on Oct. 2nd, only two days after the discovery.
The license plate of Abbruscato’s car was scanned leading investigators to El-Sayed’s whereabouts.
He was extradited to Virginia in November and indicted for second-degree murder and concealment of a body.
Evidence of El-Sayed’s DNA was found under Abbruscato’s finger nails, and witnesses recalled hearing a woman screaming, followed by a man shouting on the night of the murder.
El-Sayed was convicted of first-degree murder and concealment of a body. He’s due to be sentenced in March 2026, facing maximum punishment of life in prison for murder and an additional five years for concealment.
After the conviction, Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano posted a comment on X.
“For someone who loved life as much as Cara did, this is maybe the most cruel ending imaginable.” Descano went on to say, “Today, her murderer was held accountable. Nothing can bring Cara back, but to her family and friends: I hope this allows you to begin to heal.”
