In January 2018, a tragic event unfolded in Orange County, California. Blaze Bernstein, a gay Jewish student at the University of Pennsylvania and former classmate of Samuel Woodward from the Orange County School of the Arts, went missing while visiting his family during winter break. After an extensive search, Bernstein's body was discovered in a shallow grave at a nearby park. The investigation led to Woodward being arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
Woodward, who was 20 years old at the time of the incident, had previously attended the same high school as Bernstein and reconnected with him via a dating app in the months leading up to the attack. Prosecutors argued that Woodward's hatred for LGBTQ+ people and his affiliation with Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi organization, motivated him to plan and carry out the murder.
During the trial, two former members of Atomwaffen Division testified about the group's structure, belief system, and promotion of violence to bring down established society. Woodward was immediately suspected as Bernstein's last contact before his disappearance.
The jury reached a verdict on July 3, 2024, finding Woodward guilty of first-degree murder with a hate crime enhancement. He faces life without parole due to the hate crime enhancement. Bernstein's family released a statement expressing their relief and gratitude for the justice served in this case.
Bernstein was remembered as an amazing human and humanitarian, someone his family was greatly looking forward to having in their lives. The tragic loss of such a promising young life serves as a reminder of the importance of love, acceptance, and unity in our society.
