Blaze Bernstein, a 19-year-old pre-med student at the University of Pennsylvania, was tragically killed during his winter break in January 2018. Blaze, who was gay and Jewish, had been looking forward to spending time with his family in Southern California. However, a meeting with a former high school classmate, Samuel Woodward, ended in a horrific act of violence. Blaze went missing on January 3, and after a week of frantic searching by his family and law enforcement, his body was found buried in Borrego Park in Foothill Ranch, California.
The investigation revealed that Blaze had been stabbed multiple times in his neck, knee, and hands, indicating he fought back against the brutal attack. Police later arrested Woodward, who had briefly attended high school with Blaze. Woodward initially claimed Blaze disappeared after meeting another friend at the park, but evidence uncovered during the investigation pointed to him as the sole perpetrator.
In 2018, prosecutors charged Woodward with first-degree murder, adding a hate crime enhancement due to evidence of his affiliation with an anti-gay, neo-Nazi extremist group. At the trial, prosecutors argued that Woodward’s actions were premeditated, fueled by hatred toward gay people. His defense team, however, denied it was a hate crime, claiming Woodward acted impulsively, citing his alleged struggles with his sexuality. Woodward testified that he killed Blaze after waking up in the park and seeing Blaze taking pictures of him, a claim investigators found no evidence to support.
In July 2024, Woodward, now 27, was convicted of first-degree murder with the hate crime enhancement and later sentenced to life in prison without parole. Blaze’s family expressed relief at the verdict, with his mother, Jeanne Pepper Bernstein, stating it brought some measure of justice for the brutal loss of their son.
Blaze’s memory lives on through those who knew and loved him. Described as creative, kind, and deeply passionate about cooking, Blaze was a bright and promising young man whose life was tragically cut short. His story serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of hatred and the importance of seeking justice for victims of violence.
