Virginia Man Convicted of Murder After Claiming Girlfriend Shot Herself
FAIRFAX, Va. — A Lorton man has been convicted of murder after prosecutors proved he lied about how his girlfriend died, rejecting his claim that she shot herself.
A Fairfax County jury found Huy Tien “Max” Nguyen, 48, guilty of second-degree murder and a firearm charge in the April 2024 death of his girlfriend, Alison “Kate” LaPorta, 38.
From Hospital Visit to Homicide Case
Nguyen drove LaPorta to Mount Vernon Hospital on April 17, 2024, with gunshot wounds. She was later transferred to Fairfax Hospital, where she died.
Nguyen initially told investigators LaPorta had shot herself with his gun. But prosecutors presented forensic evidence that told a different story.
Key Evidence Against Nguyen
Investigators found the trajectory of the bullet and a gun imprint on LaPorta’s seatbelt that indicated Nguyen fired the weapon while seated next to her in her car.
“Kate should still be with us today,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano. “Max Nguyen’s needless actions stole a daughter from her parents and a mother from her children. I’m relieved that his attempts to lie about what happened to Kate did not allow him to escape accountability.”
Sentencing Ahead
Nguyen faces up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, plus an additional three years for the firearm charge. His sentencing is scheduled for February 13, 2026.
LaPorta leaves behind grieving parents and children. Prosecutors hope the conviction provides her family some measure of closure.
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