Five Years Later, Still No Justice for Hanako Abe

On New Year’s Eve 2020, 27-year-old Hanako Abe and 60-year-old Elizabeth Platt were killed when Troy McAlister—a repeat offender who was out on parole—plowed into them with a stolen car. Five years later, McAlister still hasn’t faced trial.

The anniversary of their deaths is a brutal reminder of the systemic failures that allowed this to happen:

Archived tweet

"Even if I can't meet Hanako, as long as she's alive somewhere, that's enough." Does the assailant understand this? It's the anniversary of her death. #SanFrancisco #USA https://t.co/7WCvVMmUBc

H.abe @Cjr4fyYVSRSkeqU December 31, 2025

Hanako’s mother’s words cut to the bone. “Even if I can’t meet Hanako, as long as she’s alive somewhere, that’s enough.” Her daughter is gone because the system failed at every level.

McAlister wasn’t some unknown risk. He was arrested on October 15, November 6, and December 20, 2020—serving a combined total of just 11 days in jail. On November 6th, he was caught breaking into a car and brandished a firearm with an extended magazine, telling officers he carried it in case “people became ignorant.” He wasn’t held. Eleven days later, two women were dead.

The California Department of Corrections’ own investigation revealed that parole agents were instructed they “must not search for violations”—a directive that let McAlister slip through the cracks repeatedly.

Archived tweet

Never forget what "criminal justice reform" and Chesa allowed to happen 5 years ago in San Francisco. The murderer is still awaiting trial. Unbelievable. https://t.co/Xpp6OKJbDm

T Wolf 🌁 @Twolfrecovery January 01, 2026

And now? The public defender is seeking dismissal of the charges entirely, arguing insufficient evidence at the preliminary hearing. This represents the final opportunity to seek dismissal before a jury trial. After five years of waiting, the families may get nothing.

This is what “criminal justice reform” under Chesa Boudin looked like in practice. San Franciscans recalled him for exactly this reason—because policies that prioritized offenders over victims led to preventable deaths. The crime stats are finally improving since his removal, but the damage done during those years can never be undone.

Hanako Abe was 27. Elizabeth Platt was 60. Their families have waited five years for justice. They deserve a trial.

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