Posted on: Sunday, January 27, 2002

Kihei manslaughter suspect remains at large after two years

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

WAILUKU, Maui — Two years after Nathan Ilar died while trying to break up a fight, police still haven't caught his killer.

They're holding out hope that someone will come forward with information that will lead them to Kamuela Sanchez, the man indicted for manslaughter and third-degree assault in connection with Ilar's death.

Maui police detectives have developed information that suggests Sanchez, now 36, may have fled to O'ahu and then to the Mainland.

According to witnesses, Ilar, 32, of Kahului, intervened in a confrontation between a group of men at Cove Park in Kihei on Jan. 28, 2000, and was punched by Sanchez. The blow knocked Ilar to the ground. He never regained consciousness and died two days later.

Sanchez is described as a Hawaiian-Asian male standing 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing between 150 and 170 pounds. He has black hair, brown eyes and a mustache.

Anyone with information on Sanchez's whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers on O'ahu at 955-8300, or Maui Crime Stoppers at (808) 242-6966. Maui Crime Stoppers pays rewards of up to $1,000 in some cases.