A Vienna man was convicted today (Monday) of murdering his girlfriend while camping in Burke Lake Park in 2023.
Rami El-Sayed, 36, was convicted on one count each of first-degree murder and concealment of a dead body, the Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office announced.
Prosecutors argued that El-Sayed had killed his girlfriend, Cara Abbruscato, by stabbing her 17 times with a knife while in the throes of hallucinogenic mushrooms that they had consumed on Sept. 24, 2023.
El-Sayed then attempted to conceal Abbruscato’s body by placing it inside the couple’s tent before fleeing the scene and, later, the state. Her body was located six days later.
According to prosecutors, El-Sayed drove Abbruscato’s car to his hometown in Patterson, New Jersey after the killing. He was ultimately arrested on Oct. 2, 2023 before being extradited back to Virginia the following month.
“For someone who loved life as much as Cara did, this is maybe the most cruel ending imaginable,” Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano said in a statement. “Today, her murderer was held accountable.”
He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 20. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for the murder conviction, as well as five years for concealing Abbruscato’s body.
For someone who loved life as much as Cara did, this is maybe the most cruel ending imaginable.
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. pic.twitter.com/uA7cfw8tD5
— Fairfax DA Steve Descano (@FairfaxCountyCA) December 8, 2025
