An 18-year-old Kaua‘i woman was found dead yesterday morning near an area known as Glass Beach in Hanapepe, the victim of an apparent murder.
While Kaua‘i Police Department detectives are not releasing many details, including her name, officials said detectives believe the victim was injured between 10 p.m. Wednesday and midnight Thursday.
Other sources say the woman was the victim of a knife attack.
Detectives said they are looking for anyone who may have information about the crime or could have seen what happened to contact Lt. Roy Asher, Detective Sam Sheldon or Detective Marvin Rivera at 241-1711.
Asher, when asked for further comment, declined, only to say that today’s autopsy of the victim could provide further information.
The first question that comes to mind is whether this murder is related to the two unsolved murders in 2000 that terrorized the Westside.
A third victim was also stabbed, beaten, and sexually assaulted, but she survived. Asked whether yesterday’s murder could be related to the three attacks, County Public Information Officer Cyndi Mei Ozaki said, “Police detectives are not prepared to make that determination at this time. After autopsy results come back, they will be more equipped to make a determination.”
One thing appears certain: the description of yesterday’s victim is different from those in the earlier cases. While the victims in the 2000 attacks were small, middle-aged white women, this victim was young and, according to non-police sources, was described as “local.” Autopsy results will confirm today whether or not the victim was sexually assaulted, said Ozaki.
One of the suspects police had identified in the 2000 slayings was in jail for other crimes, but is no longer in custody, according to a state employee at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.
It was uncertain whether the person, who was never arrested for anything related to the incidents, returned to Kaua‘i after his release.
Tom Finnegan, staff writer, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or tfinnegan@pulitzer.net.
