LIHU‘E — On July 3, 2010, a pig farmer uncovered Amber Jackson’s remains in a remote, wooded area of Kealia.
Jackson, 57, was first reported missing on June 23 of that year.
An autopsy report found Jackson had suffered from blunt-force trauma to her head and sustained injuries caused by an assault, according to the Kaua‘i Police Department.
No arrests have been made in the case, and the investigation continues.
This 11-year-old cold case saw a glimmer of hope last anniversary when DNA evidence was sent off for federal testing, Jackson’s nephew Matthew Alexander said in a recent interview.
“We haven’t heard anything conclusive from that,” Alexander said. “Not to say it was or wasn’t, but we haven’t heard anything conclusive.”
KPD Investigative Services Bureau Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce said the department can’t share information on potential forensic evidence.
“While we are unable to provide details regarding the potential DNA evidence that has been collected, or supply information on any other studies that have been conducted, rest assured that we are diligently continuing our investigation, and we won’t stop until we have identified her killer(s). We want nothing more than to bring peace and closure to her family and friends,” Ponce said in a statement.
A 10-year Kapahi resident originally from California, Jackson had been working for the Hawai‘i State Teachers Association.
In 2019, an Investigation Discovery’s “Breaking Homicide” program aired an episode about Jackson called “ A Murder in Paradise” that prompted Kaua‘i police to
re-examine evidence and interview people who may have known Jackson and who may have any information pertaining to the cold case.
The Amber Jackson Justice Group, made up of friends and family, works closely with KPD, and continues to offer a $20,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of potential suspects.
“We’re not going to give up. We’re going to keep plugging away at it,” Alexander said. “One of these days somebody is going to be feeling guilty or leak something to somebody that’s going to open this case back up.”
There is no statute of limitations for homicide investigations.
“Again, we are committed to seeking justice for and solving the Amber Jackson murder, and will continue to work with partnering agencies such as the FBI, private labs, the Hawai‘i Office of the Attorney General and the Honolulu Police Department,” Ponce said.
“KPD investigates and keeps such cold cases on the forefront by ensuring that cases are routinely looked at and not just collecting dust on a shelf. We also assign cases of this nature to different investigators from time to time so that a set of fresh eyes and perhaps new ideas can be shared and developed. Moreover, our criminalists continue to update and expand their research and technological efforts, which always helps us get closer to solving these cases.”
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance or death of Jackson can call Ponce at 241-1681.
“We will never give up our pursuit to find the suspect(s) involved in Amber’s tragic and untimely death,” Ponce said.
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Sabrina Bodon, public safety and government reporter, can be reached at 245-0441 or sbodon@thegardenisland.com.