Fatal Glen Burnie Stabbing Prompts Prison Sentence In 'Unprovoked Attack': Officials

GLEN BURNIE, MD — A woman was sentenced after pleading guilty to a fatal Glen Burnie stabbing, county prosecutors said Monday.

A judge sentenced the accused woman, 27-year-old Inari Molina, to life in prison with all but 60 years suspended. That means Molina will spend 60 years behind bars for the 2019 death of Brian Gifford, officials said.

"The victim, Mr. Gifford, was sitting in his truck when the defendant opened his truck door apparently to look for valuables inside," Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said in a press release. "When she encountered [Mr. Gifford], instead of abandoning her plan to commit a theft, she chose to viciously attack him and stabbed him 36 times. This was an unprovoked attack as the individuals were neither acquaintances or knew each other."

The investigation started on July 27, 2019 when somebody reported a foul odor coming from a white pick-up truck in a parking lot in the 800 block of Aquahart Road in Glen Burnie. Authorities said the Anne Arundel County Police Department responded and found a body inside the truck, which was later identified as the remains of Gifford.

Prosecutors said officers collected evidence from the scene, including a fixed blade knife that was inside the truck.

Detectives secured footage from a nearby restaurant that showed the victim alive on July 16, 2019, the release said. Police learned that Gifford would sometimes sleep in his car near his job sites.

Investigators spoke with two people who described an encounter they had with a tall, thin person who wore a wig and a jogging suit with white striping on the side. Officials said this woman, later identified as Molina, asked the duo for money and cigarettes while they awaited transportation near where the victim's truck was found.

Surveillance video from July 17, 2019 showed somebody who resembled the defendant wearing the same jacket with the white striped sleeves walking across the parking lot, authorities said.

Prosecutors said that person approached the truck and opened its door at 4:33 a.m.

Detectives found and interviewed the defendant on July 31, 2019. Police noticed that Molina had a large cut on the finger that healed poorly, the release said.

Officials said Molina had a history of similar thefts from cars, so officers secured a search warrant.

Authorities said they compared Molina's DNA sample with the forensic evidence from the victim's truck.

The test suggested that Molina's DNA sample matched the blood stain from the truck, prosecutors said.

The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Gifford's death a homicide from multiple stab wounds, the release said.

Authorities said Molina pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder on May 19, 2022.

Assistant State's Attorneys Glen Neubauer and Rashad Wright prosecuted the case. Judge Mark Crooks presided over it.

"Mr. Gifford's life was senselessly taken from him leaving a huge hole in the lives of those who loved him dearly," the state's attorney said. "We hope the sentence imposed today will provide some level of comfort to his family."