Appalled by the slaughter of a protected green sea turtle last week, North Shore residents have raised a $1,200 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

A 200-pound, 30-year-old female turtle called Honey Girl was discovered buried in the sand on Laniakea Beach on Saturday. Her breast shell had been removed and a flipper was missing.

An examination of her remains indicates that the animal was healthy, died quickly and had knife marks where muscle was "picked clean" from her body, according to the results of a necropsy provided yesterday by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Fisheries Service.

The cause of death was uncertain.

The necropsy concluded that the turtle was killed and her muscle and organs were taken.

"Post-mortem condition was good as was the body condition as evidenced by layers of fat on the intestinal wall and carapace (shell)," the necropsy report said. "The bruising in skeletal muscle was focal and mild and cannot, by itself, explain the cause of death."

There was bruising and bleeding in the neck muscle, connective tissues in the front flipper and remaining muscle attached to the shell, the report said.

Honey Girl had been tagged and known since 2005 as a resident basker at Laniakea. She also nested at the French Frigate Shoals in 2000, the report said.

The slaughter of the turtle angered and upset many people who have worked to protect and educate the public about this endangered species that is protected by state and federal law.

It is illegal to kill turtles, eat them or use their shells.

Several North Shore residents pledged the reward money at the North Shore Neighborhood Board meeting Tuesday in hopes of bringing the criminal or criminals to justice, said board member Warren Scoville.

"I in front of God and 'Olelo TV pledged a $500 reward and was quickly matched by somebody in the audience," Scoville said. That turned out to be David Druz, and later Marlu West called to offer $200 more, Scoville said.

Druz said he was dismayed by the slaughter, and West has said she knew Honey Girl by sight and was saddened by her death.

Druz said he thinks of the reward as a deterrent and hopes other people will contribute to the fund.

"The more you can have some type of real strong deterrent, I think the more effective you are at keeping those turtles alive," Druz said.