Kapahulu woman slain in drug dispute

By Peter Boylan
Advertiser Staff Writer

The woman whose body was found at a goat farm in 'Ewa last week was brutally murdered over an ounce of marijuana, according to documents filed in district court yesterday.

Robyn Mae Nakaji earlier told two people who accused her of stealing the marijuana that she didn't take it, but if she found it, "finder's keepers," the police affidavit said. A note left on her body that was bound and wrapped in a blanket and tarp read, "Finder's keepers," the affidavit said.

Police arrested a 49-year-old woman Wednesday on suspicion of murdering Nakaji. Yesterday, the woman's 48-year-old brother was also arrested in connection with the case. The two have 28 convictions between them, ranging from drunken driving and burglary, to auto-theft and illegal possession of a firearm.

The 46-year-old Nakaji's body was found April 23 by employees of the farm who were removing rubbish dumped illegally at the farm's front gate. After unwrapping the body, police found Nakaji with her head and mouth bound with layers of tape. Her hands were also bound and lodged beneath her chin.

The City Medical Examiner's office said Nakaji died of blunt and sharp force injuries to the head and neck. Her throat was also slashed.

Nakaji's body was covered in numerous bags of rubbish. In some of those bags were Nakaji's personal belongings and bills and other items bearing the name of the 49-year-old woman, according to the documents.

According to an affidavit, Robyn Nakaji used drugs almost every day with the brother and sister at their apartment on 747 Kapahulu Avenue. Several days prior to Nakaji's murder, the two accused Nakaji of stealing an ounce of marijuana and threatened her. She responded that she didn't steal it, the affidavit said.

Jessica Nakaji, the victim's niece, told police that she was friends with the brother and sister and that the pair told her they intended to bind her aunt with tape and pistol whip her, the affidavit said.

The niece pleaded with them not to do it, and eventually they assured her that her aunt would not be harmed, the affidavit said.

Upon executing a search warrant at the 49-year-old woman's apartment, police found blood, and yellow duct tape of the type found on Robyn Nakaji's body and at the dump site, the affidavit said. While police searched the apartment, the woman returned home and was arrested.

Reach Peter Boylan at 535-8110 or pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com