Posted on: Thursday, November 28, 2002

Boyfriend suspected in Waipahu stabbing

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Staff Writer

Police yesterday arrested a 34-year-old Waipahu man on suspicion of murdering his 30-year-old girlfriend.

Police officers yesterday morning found the body of the woman who was stabbed in her home on Awalai Street in Waipahu. Police went to the scene after an anonymous woman called police dispatch at 7:15 a.m. and asked police to check on the victim.

Lt. Bill Kato of HPD's homicide unit said it appeared the woman had been killed earlier in the week. Neighbors told police that the victim and her boyfriend had been arguing mid-morning Sunday before the suspect left the studio.

The medical examiner's office has yet to release the woman's name.

"A lot of neighbors heard and saw the argument getting quite loud," Kato said. "The argument escalated and then it got quiet."

Kato said the suspect left the residence Sunday afternoon and hadn't returned since.

Police went to the scene yesterday morning after the caller told police operators that the victim may be injured. Officers found the studio front door unlocked and went inside, finding the woman's body in the bathroom with stab wounds to her upper torso, Kato said.

The woman's boyfriend was located at 10:30 a.m. in 'Aiea and arrested without incident. Kato said investigators may charge the man with second-degree murder as early as today.