19-year-old Blaze Bernstein tragically lost his life in a hate crime committed by his former classmate, Sam Woodward. On January 2, 2018, Woodward repeatedly stabbed Bernstein and then proceeded to bury his body in a shallow grave. It is alleged that Bernstein’s murder was a result of a hate crime as he was Jewish and gay. In September 2024, Bernstein’s family faced their son’s murderer in open court.

Blaze Bernstein’s murder

According to the investigation carried out after Blaze Bernstein’s death, Sam Woodward picked Bernstein up from his home on Jan 2, 2018, and the two went to Borrego Park in Lake Forest. Woodward later admitted to smoking marijuana in the park. According to Woodward’s testimony, he had his eyes closed when he felt Bernstein get close to him.

Woodward further testified that he opened his eyes when he felt his pants unbuckle. He claimed that he saw Bernstein near him with a phone in his hand and automatically assumed that he was taking explicit pictures of him. Woodward claimed Bernstein repeatedly said, “I got you.” No picture of such nature was later found in Bernstein’s phone.

 

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In his testimony, Woodward alleged that he attempted to get the phone from Bernstein but he refused to give up. This made him extremely furious and in an outrageous rage, he picked up his knife.

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On the stand, Woodward stated that he lost control of himself, repeatedly driving the knife into Bernstein. According to him, “I couldn’t stop … I couldn’t see what was going on.” Woodward further revealed that Bernstein attempted to stop him by biting him. He then buried him in a shallow grave.

Woodward stabbed Bernstein 28 times.

Was Bernstein’s murder a hate crime?

Bernstein’s lawyers argued that he was murdered because of his Jewish beliefs. They further stated that an investigation by the authorities uncovered Woodward’s association with Atomwaffen, a neo-Nazi group. However, when the defense lawyer asked Woodward on the stand point-blank if he had planned the murder because of Bernstein’s Jewish or gay personality, he replied, “Not at all.”

The Defense attorney thereby argued that the case was of voluntary manslaughter and was not preplanned.

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Blaze Bernstein’s murder trial

After the police department found Bernstein’s body in a grave along with his phone buried, they traced the suspicion to Sam Woodward who was the last person to see him. Woodward was initially arrested on Jan 12, 2018. According to CBS news, he then pleaded “Not Guilty” to the charges. The case dragged on for quite some time. In July 2024, Woodward was found guilty of first-degree murder. Woodward’s fate is said to be sealed on October 22, 2024, when his sentencing would be announced.

Blaze Bernstein’s Obituary

Bernstein’s website, made in his honor, describes him as “capable, compassionate, just, and loving.” It describes Bernstein’s caring nature and reveals his close-knit relationship with his family, especially his siblings. He lit up the lives of others with his loving personality. The description ends with thoughtful words, “Blaze left the world a better place because he has lived.”

Blaze’s family continues to hope for justice for their son’s brutal murder.

 

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