Ali Nasser Abulaban

Ali Nasser Abulaban
Personal information
Born	Ali Nasser Abulaban (1992-05-18) May 18, 1992 Staten Island, New York, U.S.
Other names	JinnKid
Occupation	Content creator, IT specialist (former)
Children	1
TikTok information
Page	@jinnkid
Followers	~940,000
Years active	c.2019–2021
Criminal status	Incarcerated
Criminal charge	Two counts of first‑degree murder; firearm enhancements
Penalty	Two consecutive life sentences without parole + 50 years to life
Details
Victims	Ana Abulaban; Rayburn Cardenas Barron
Location	Pinnacle on the Park II 32°42′36.7″N 117°09′02.9″W
Date apprehended	October 21, 2021
Imprisoned at	2024–present
Last updated: July 2025 Former social media star turned convicted murderer

Ali Nasser Abulaban (born 1991), known online as JinnKid, is an American former social media personality and internet comedian, convicted of a double homicide in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, California, in 2021. He rose to popularity in the early 2020s for his comedy sketches and impersonation videos, including characters from Scarface and Skyrim, primarily on TikTok and YouTube.

In October 2021, Abulaban murdered his estranged wife, Ana Abulaban, and her friend, Rayburn Cardenas Barron, in a high-rise apartment in San Diego, California. He was convicted in May 2024 and sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

Early life and career

Ali was born in Staten Island, New York, to Palestinian‑American parents Nasser Abulaban and Dalal Warra, and had at least two siblings. His upbringing was reportedly marked by verbal and physical abuse from his father, contributing to later mental health struggles. He was diagnosed with ADHD in adolescence. After finishing his high school in Virginia, Abulaban attended college for one year, before enlisting in the United States Air Force, where he would eventually be stationed in Okinawa, Japan in 2014. Abulaban would later work in IT for a federal contractor in San Diego. He launched his TikTok channel around 2019, posting comedic dialogues, character sketches, a “Skyrim in Real Life” series, and impressions of Tony Montana from Scarface.

Pinnacle on the Park II tower in East Village, San Diego high-rise

JinnKid and JayPharoah

Relationship and additional turmoil

Abulaban married Ana Marie Abulaban, a Filipina national whom he met when he was stationed in Japan; the couple had a daughter, Amira. Ana maintained an Instagram account. Ali had over 940,000 followers and Ana made frequent cameo appearances in his videos. In early 2021, after relocating to San Diego, their relationship deteriorated amid Ali’s cocaine use, jealousy, and arguments over sexual intimacy. He installed spyware on their daughter’s iPad to monitor Ana’s conversations. Ana filed for divorce and obtained a restraining order.

Double murder

On October 21, 2021, police were called to the 35th floor of the Spire building after reports of gunshots.

They discovered Ana Abulaban, 28, (shot once in the head) and her friend Rayburn Cadenas Barron, 29, (shot three times) dead from upper‑body gunshot wounds in the living room.

Abulaban allegedly retained a key to the apartment after separation, and installed listening surveillance software on his daughter’s device. He drove from a hotel to the building, entered, and opened fire after hearing Ana and Rayburn together. He fled in his vehicle with Amira but was stopped on Interstate 15 and surrendered. He confessed shortly afterward.

Trial

The trial began in April 2024. Prosecutors presented surveillance footage, 911 audio, spyware evidence, and Google searches indicating premeditation. Ali testified, admitting drug use, past violence, and claimed he "just snapped". His mother also testified that he confessed via phone and was not immediately believed. On May 29, 2024, the jury convicted him of two counts of first-degree murder.

On September 6, 2024, Judge Jeffrey Fraser sentenced Ali to two consecutive life sentences without possibility of parole plus 50 years to life for firearm enhancements. The judge noted his "lack of remorse", and the courtroom reportedly reacted with applause. District judge warned he would die in prison.

Documentary and media coverage

In June 2024, Peacock released the documentary TikTok Star Murders, produced by G-Unit Film & Television and Lusid Media, with executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The program detailed the 2021 double homicide and incorporated surveillance footage, police body camera recordings, interrogation videos, and trial testimony.

It documented Abulaban’s rise as a content creator under “JinnKid” on TikTok, including his comedic sketches and impressions. The documentary presented a timeline of his relationship with Ana Abulaban, prior domestic issues, and the installation of listening spyware on his daughter’s iPad.

Segments featured interviews with journalists from NBC 7 San Diego, Fox 5 San Diego, and legal experts reviewing trial evidence such as search history, phone records, and GPS data. Courtroom footage included Abulaban’s testimony, prosecution cross-examination, and sentencing remarks from Judge Fraser. The film showed the courtroom’s reaction but did not include interviews with the victims’ families.

See also

• TikTok
• Domestic violence in the United States