Organs from Christopher Reuther, a 34-year-old North Carolina man who died April 24 after being assaulted at a Leeward Coast beach, has improved the life of four O'ahu residents and given hope to many more.

Judy Wilson of North Carolina told The Advertiser it was her son's stated wish to be an organ donor, and it's comforting to know his gift is benefiting others.

Wilson has received letters from a man, 66, who received Reuther's liver; a woman, 44, who got one of his kidneys and his pancreas; and the recipient of his other kidney, a 28-year-old woman.

Felicia Wells-Williams, family services manager for the Organ Donor Center of Hawai'i, also confirmed a man, 40, received one of Reuther's corneas. His sclera, bones, saphenous veins and heart valves also could benefit others later on, Wells-Williams said.

"I'm glad for them," Wilson said. "But all I have left of him is a handful of ashes."

The killing has left Wilson, family members and friends devastated. They are 5,000 miles away in North Carolina and know little about what is happening with the case in Hawai'i, although the Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's witness protection program has tried to keep them apprised.

Wilson is especially concerned that Less Schnabel Jr., 22, who was charged with manslaughter for allegedly delivering the fatal punch — described as a "false crack" by one prosecutor — is free on bail. His trial is scheduled for July 16 but likely will be continued.

"I can't eat, I can't sleep," said Wilson, who couldn't sleep a wink the first two weeks after her son's death and has averaged two hours a night over the past seven weeks.

"All I do is cry," she added. "Time has done nothing to heal this. I'm starting therapy so it's starting to cost money.

"My world has completely changed. ... I am left with pain and senseless loss. There will be no more birthdays or holiday celebrations with him, no daily phone calls, no hugs."

At the time of his death, Reuther was considering law school offers from Tulane University and the University of Hawai'i.

Avi Stofer, dean of UH's William S. Richardson law school, described him as a "promising would-be law student."

Reuther arrived in Honolulu April 22, rented a car and headed out for the Leeward Coast, where he attended a lu'au and then went looking for a place to camp for the night. He found his way to Zablan Beach Park in Nanakuli, where he was attacked.

Wilson said her son first read about the area from a travel guide.

"It recommended the Leeward Coast as the last of the undeveloped beaches where there were lifeguards, swimming and camping," she said.

"It also mentioned Nanakuli Beach Park as a community-oriented beach with basketball (courts), a children's play area, a baseball diamond and a great place to meet people with genuine aloha.

"Chris, an ardent photographer, would naturally go there," she added. "I want people to know my son, who had never visited Hawai'i before, had no way of knowing that beach park was not safe."

According to police, Reuther was punched without provocation near his left ear after taking a photo of Schnabel without permission.

The pain for Wilson is relentless.

"Chris wanted to make the world a better place," she said. "I think of how many thousands of others he would have helped had he been allowed to follow his dream.

"... No parent should ever have to deal with the loss of a child. And no parent should ever, ever have to deal with the murder of a son by a complete stranger, a son who simply went to a state park to photograph the scenery. My tears will never stop flowing."

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.