honolulu serial killer victims

Despite a decline in the number of murders in the United States since the 1960s, thousands go unsolved each year. No further suspects were ever identified and the murders attributed to the Honolulu Strangler remain unsolved. Medeiros, who had lived with beach people at Makaha, was 3 months pregnant when she was murdered. This serial killer was He divorced from his wife in 1983. While Hawaii is sometimes considered to be safer than many locales in America, the state still experiences bloodshed, and these homicide cases are evidence of that. However during the latter half of the 1980s, a serial killer stalked the city for over just under a year and was responsible for the deaths of several women, all of whom were found strangled and dumped in various parts of the exotic Island. She too was strangled. Due to its The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, HI): Half of murders probe team reassigned. 2 (May 04, 1986), The Honolulu Advertiser Pt. Her hands were bound behind her back, and she was partially nude. The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, HI): Serial killer theory reinforced, by Will Hoover. Previous women had been abducted at bus stops, and it is possible that Pesce had gone to a bus stop after her car broke down. James and John had intended to get supplies by burglarizing the victims neighbor. Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, HI): Buses to get radios in the war on crime, by Catherine Enomoto. This is a savings of over $100! Police suspect she met the killer at the bus stop or on the bus. Howard Gay eventually moved to the mainland and the killings abruptly stopped. Witnesses came forward who claimed to have seen a light colored van and a Caucasian man with a victims car. WebDuring those years, Hawaiis first known serial killer, the Honolulu Strangler, took five lives. Explore music and the arts. He made them stay in a hotel and shipped them back to California two days later. He was eventually discharged in 1965. The second victim was Regina Sakamoto, age 17, a student at Leilehua High School. Police were contacted by a cab driver who said he had dropped Vicki off there the night before sometime around midnight. This task force received help from both the FBI and the Green River task-force which was still actively hunting for the Green River Killer in Washington. 2 (May 10, 1986), Possibly in the military given the locations and associations with military bases and people, Waiting for a bus, married to military man. She was found along Moanalua Stream by 3 young fishermen on February 1, and identified February 6. Crazy case! His neighbors told reporters he was a gentleman, always willing to help others. "Shewascompletelynudewithherhandtiedbehindherback". WebAuthorities say Rasmussen who's best known under the name Robert "Bob" Evans is connected to the deaths of a woman and three children who were found in steel barrels Today we're taking the train to a land of paradise. She was an attractive, petite 25 year old blonde who was a transplant from North Carolina. Regina's brother would later do an interview with khon2.com and say, She was late for school that day, It was in Waipahu. All Rights Reserved. The Honolulu Strangler (He Totally Did It.) - Podbean The Honolulu Strangler was a truly noteworthy (if you could call it that) serial killer. For you young kids out there, a pager is what you used to get ahold of someone before there were cell phones. Chito Grace Hubbard Fortescue was the mother of Thalia Massie and worked on getting justice for her daughter. WebThe Honolulu Stranglers victims named clockwise from top left: Denise Hughes, Louise Medeiros, Linda Pesce, Vicki Purdy, and Regina Sakamoto. Sources: Police dropped 2 murder suspects off at Waikiki hotel but didnt monitor them Gay died on November 2, 2003 at age 60. is hosted weekly by Mizutani and explores the traditions and stories that make up the modern-day culture of Hawaii. Depending on the source things get a little mixed up. She was bound, gagged, and left unconscious in her bed. Along with the Honolulu Strangler are four other murderous situations and stories that took place in paradise. The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, HI): Woman found dead at Keehi Lagoon. Gary was stationed in Hawaii as a helicopter pilot for the U.S. Army. So we found both of these stories in several different places and wanted to present them both. The main suspect moved to the mainland. A police motorcyclist, alerted to the kidnapping, saw the blinds and considered it suspicious. Police considered their suspect pool, and began to hone in on Gay. The police decided to launch a sting operation and used undercover policewomen at Keehi Lagoon, where two of the victims bodies were found as well as Honolulu International Airport where the latest victim was last seen. Photo Source; Enhanced True identity of serial killer in cold case revealed and he had However, she didnt want to be a witness because she believed the suspect saw her as well and she was frightened for her safety. In early May, Howard Andrew Gay, 43, contacted police. Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, HI): Serial-killings suspect profiled, by Mary Adamski. With this latest murder, local private businesses put up a $25,000 reward for information. The woman said she did not want to be a witness as she was scared because the man had seen her as well. Then on April 29, 1986, a woman reported her 36-year-old roommate, Linda Pesce, was missing. Gay eventually left Hawaii to return to the mainland and while the killings did stop, a true link between those two occurrences has never been proven. Her car was later found near Kapaa Quarry Road. In May of 2018, the TV show Breaking Homicide returned to the case and the shows investigators suggested that the Honolulu Strangler may have also killed 19-year-old Lisa Au in 1982. Gay was quickly released, but kept under police surveillance for years. Regina was planning on attending Hawaii Pacific University in the fall. They were back to square one. Gay told the media that police had good cause to arrest him, but said it was circumstantial. This 90 card set features the artwork of 15 noted true crime artists and will come with a numbered, signed certificate of authenticity for each set. He would go on to say: "I used to look up to her. The suspect was Caucasian, middle-aged with a receding hairline, worked as a mechanic and lived in Ewa Beach. That's when 25-year old Vicki Purdy told her husband, Army helicopter pilot Gary Purdy, that she planned to go dancing with some friends in Waikiki. He worked in the area. He was stationed at George Air Force Base, where he was honorably discharged in 1965. The woman was brought in and shown a lineup and picked Gays photo out of the line up. Witnesses remembered seeing Pesces car on the night she had vanished. It was the last time Vicki would be seen alive. Discover in-depth documentaries. Despite police believing they had their killer, the evidence was only circumstantial and he was released. The next victim was 25 year old Louise Medeiros. This seems to be one of those weird unsolved cases that everyone seems to know who did it. 10 Terrifying Facts Of The Honolulu Strangler - Listverse SEE ALSO:Tune in for Local Success Stories on PBS Hawaiis Newest Program, Home Is Here. I just want, what is that, closure.. She was originally from Kansas. First we are going to discuss the victims and then the few suspects they had. This is Hawaii, home of white sandy beaches, laidback surf vibes and romantic sunsets. WebHawaiis first known serial killer the Honolulu Strangler was responsible for the murders of five women between 1985 and 1986, and was never caught. He tortured and killed 5 women. The second victim was Regina Sakamoto, [3] [4] age 17, of Leilehua High School. Despite all the elements against him, he was released after being held and questioned for ten hours, since prosecutors Peter Carlisle and Michael McGuigan decided they had insufficient evidence to win a case. Over the next year a further four women would be found raped and strangled by an unknown psychopath, but investigators were close to catching the elusive killer. This perfect bound Serial Killer Calendar book includes detailed facts and trivia about serial killers for every day of the year. Launched in August 2021, the podcast features all things Hawaii, including local culture, food, nostalgia and crime. WebOn May 22, 2000, a 52-year-old woman was severely wounded by the perpetrator in Kekaha. Honolulu Strangler - The True Crime Database Honolulu Strangler Byran was born in Honolulu in 1959. Four women had been abducted at bus stops, and two Sakamoto and Hughes had been murdered. Police also recovered 11 handguns, 5 rifles and 2 shotguns from Byrans father. He was being held on bail of more than $1 million. She lived in Miliani with her husband Gary. Ganal then fire bombed the home of Michael and Wendy Touchette because Michaels brother is the lover. She had been strangled and her hands were bound with parachute cord like the other victims. Kauai serial killer - Wikipedia Pesce had written his name and number on a notepad in her office the day she disappeared. The two victims shared some superficial physical characteristics like being petite but it was the similar manner of death that first tipped authorities to the idea that they could have a serial killer at work in Honolulu. Honolulu police link the trail of fire and blood to a love triangle. The police followed the suspicious informant in hopes of finding answers to four other She had been bound with her hands behind her back, raped and strangled just like Vicki. Gary Purdy suggested there might be a link to her work at a video rental store. Her husband thought it might be related to Purdys job, an adult video rental store. WebThe Honolulu Strangler, also known as The Honolulu Rapist, is the nickname given to an unidentified serial killer who is credited with killing five women in Hawaii from 1985 and He was known to have once violently beaten up a young woman after she refused to take a ride with him. Unfortunately since he is dead and since no DNA evidence is available we may never actually get a solid answer on this case, despite there being a reward of $25,000. Gay later worked for FedEx in Memphis, Tennessee, presumably when the latter acquired Flying Tiger Line, in 1988. All aboard! Hughes and Sakamoto had been last been seen at a bus stop. The FBIs Behavioral Science Unit profiled the Honolulu Strangler as being a Caucasian male in his late 30s or early 40s who had no prior criminal record and may have been experiencing marital or girlfriend problems at the time. James pleaded not guilty and John requested to postpone his plea. It would be almost six months before the murderer would strike again, this time raping, strangling, and killing another local a 17-year-old girl named Regina Sakamoto, according to Listverse. Gays girlfriend had started to police the he like bondage sex and would routinely tie her up with her hands behind her back, like the victims. DNA couldve been a much greater asset for us in that particular case, Dias said, and its useless in todays age, because 82 percent of the world are types O and A.. Dr. Weiner testified that although Byran was in his opinion a schizophrenic, he carried out the shooting because he was angry that he would be fired for insubordination, and that he knew what he did was wrong. These Serial Killers In Hawaii (And Other Monsters) Will Keep SERIAL KILLER MAGAZINE is an official release of the talented artists and writers at SerialKillerCalendar.com. Including the murders of State Representative Roland Kotani, police officer Troy Barboza, Diane Suzuki, Lisa Au and seven employees of the Xerox Corporation. Like the other four victims, Medeiros was found partially clothed. He told media Purdy she had once knocked the - out of me during an argument. All of our Serial Killer Magazines and books are massive, perfect bound editions. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled. The Honolulu Strangler's terrifying murder spree began the evening of May 29,1985, according to The True Crime Database. Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, HI): Slaying victim identified by police, by Mary Adamski and Catherine Enomoto. These are more like giant, professionally produced graphic novels. Byrans month-long trial began on May 15, 2000. https://feed.podbean.com/themidnighttrainpodcast/feed.xml. The next day, her body was found at Keehi Lagoon, wearing her blue tank top and white sweatshirt but her lower body was unclothed. Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, HI): 5 women slain: a macabre landmark for Hawaii, by Robbie Dingeman. But in 1984, it was also home to The Honolulu Strangler. Police immediately linked her to the previous slayings. As of 2013, the solve rate was at an all-time low at only 65 percent of the total committed. The only suspect was a mechanic on Lagoon Drive on Ewa Beach. Its kind of sad that both my parents, you know, theyre not here to, even if it does get resolved, theyre not here to see it, Omar Sakamoto said. Shed babysit me and stuff like that", adding that she was very bookish, smart, fun loving, everybodys friend, that kind of thing.. They managed to profile the serial killer as an opportunist, attacking women in vulnerable situations and places, like at bus stops, rather than stalking his victims. At first the police checked out any possible connection to the video store. Linda Pesce was last seen by her roommate on April 29, 1986. You'd get a page and then you'd have to find this thing called a pay phone to call the number back. After the discovery of Regina's body, homicide detectives became convinced they had a serial killer on their hands. Every source has the same information so we'll give you what we have found. Three days later, Jason was killed in an automobile accident, while changing a tire on the side of the road which prompted Howard to become a born-again Christian. Breaking Homicide tries to put a name to The Honolulu Strangler On January 14, 1986, she was seen waiting for the Waipahu bus. He was described as Caucasian or mixed ancestry, about 30-40 years old. Her decomposing body was clothed in a blue dress, and wrapped in a blue tarp. On March 26, Louise took a red-eye flight back to Oahu, telling her family that she would get home from the airport via the bus. Her shoes were missing, and she had no personal effects on her. He was having relationship problems with a girlfriend or wife, they said. Howard was employed at Continental Telephone in Victorville, California, as a lineman and later a teletype repairman. One day, his family decided to surprise him by traveling to Honolulu, but when they showed up he was upset and even refused to let them in his home. Evidence suggests he is not a stalker but an Follow PBS Hawaii on all platforms: @pbshawaii. This link, along with the connection to Keehi Lagoon, led police to suspect they were looking for the same killer. It was something she'd done before so her husband didn't begin to worry until she failed to come home when she'd said she would. Like Vicky, her hands were bound behind her back and she had been raped and strangled. The case left many in Honolulu debating the merits of capital punishment in the state. Every issue of Serial of Serial Killer Magazine we sell. We can only hope that theses 5 cases are the only cases to tarnish the paradise facade of Hawaii. The dead bodies appearing on every one of those corresponding dates. Every issue of Serial Killer Magazine, every Ultimate Collection, trainscript, FBI file and more! Police say Ganal concluded his rampage by setting fire to Young Laundry and Dry Cleaning, where he had worked for 15 years. At the time of the murders Byran had as many as 25 guns registered in his name, dating to 1982. This assumption doesnt give justice to the victims or closure to their families, but it may give vacationers a little piece of mind. Victim number two was 17 year old Regina Sakamoto. which will be released at 5 a.m. on Aug. 17 online at pbshawaii.org and anywhere you get your podcasts. The first story we found was that an unidentified(at the time) 43 year old white male came to the police claiming that a psychic (also unidentified) told him where Linda Pesces body was. He drove a van for his company. On the morning on January 14, 1986 Regina missed her school bus from Waipau and then telephoned her boyfriend to tell him she would be late. Former homicide lieutenant Gary Dias was the head of HPDs homicide detail at the time. Threats to her lover, David Touchette, which started in May, drove David from Hawaii in July. 25-year-old Louise Medeiros arrived on her flight to Oahu on March 26, 1986, and then promptly disappeared. Although he would eventually be found, it seemed to them why anyone would care. Unfortunately back then, there was no cell phone video, and surveillance video wasnt common. On December 20, 1968, James completed parole. Her body was later found, with her hands tied behind her back, in what would be a grim calling card of the strangler. On May 29, 1985, Vicky had left to go clubbing in Waikiki, but had failed to meet up with her friends. When asked about revisiting the case, her brother says he wished they could test for DNA. They wrapped him in a sheet and put him in Graces rental car, pulling down the shades to hide the interior. That's right we're taking a trip to Hawaii and the land of unsolved murders. Swaying palm trees, beautiful blue water, and beaches all describe paradise in Hawaii. In December of 1984, two women, a worker and the co-owner of the store, were stabbed to death at the store. What School You Went? It is also packed with unusual trivia, exclusive interviews with the both killers and experts in the field and more information that any other resource available to date. It is also possible the killer caused a minor accident, as it appeared he did with Purdy. She would be missing for about a month after this. The killings prompted the Honolulu Police Department to form a task force that included an FBI profiler who helped put together a profile of the person they believed could be the suspect. She landed at Oahu, got off the plane and wasnt seen again until her body was found nearStream by road workers on April 2nd. "She was finally happy. In the same year as his discharge, he married Rita Thompson, his college sweetheart, and fathered two children with her: Justin and Jason. In a separate traffic incident the same night, the police picked up five young local men. Evidence suggests he is not a stalker but an opportunistic and organized killer who abducts women in vulnerable locations, like bus stops and parking lots. Ten days later, on January 31, 1982, a jogger found Aus nude, decomposing body on Tantalus Lookout in Waikiki. Podcases and videos about the Honolulu Strangler, Daily Motions video on the Honolulu Strangler, Casefile Podcast: Case 62: The Honolulu Strangler, Moms and Murder Podcast The Honolulu Strangler, My Favorite Murder #129 - Coincidence Island (2019), The United States of Horror #8: includes the Honolulu Strangler (2019), Devious Destinations #15 - Honolulu, Hawaii (2019), Honolulu Star-Bulletin Pt. Au was last seen alive just after midnight on January 21, 1982. And due to prior witnesses, they had suspected the killer drove a cream colored van with words on the back. They reported having observed a caucasian or mixed-race man driving a light coloured van near the victims car. Let's have a look at this guy shall we? A local task force and the FBI feverishly work to create the profile of a serial killer. The dark COMEDY podcast about everything mysterious. On May 4, her body was found off a dirt road at Sand Island. The police never looked for anyone else. During the struggle Wilder suffered from a broken jaw, and she subsequently suffocated due to the broken jaw and gag placed around her neck and mouth. It also includes the best true crime artwork from around the world. It said the killer may have lived or worked in the area between Sand Island and Waipahu. On February 1st, her body was found in Moanalua Stream by three young fisherman. Second, her body was wrapped in a blue tarp. Case 62: The Honolulu Strangler - Casefile: True Crime Podcast The family found her centered and motivated, no longer the alienated rebel. She was completely nude with her hands tied behind her back. Two weeks later on January 30, 1986 another victim was found. Although the magazine takes this subject very seriously and in no way attempts to glorify the crimes describe in it, it also provides a unique collection of rare treats (including mini biographical comics, crossword puzzles and trivia quizzes). These are not the kind of tiny paperback novels that you are accustomed to. Hughes and Purdy were both married to military men. The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, HI): Police say missing Isle woman could be 5. Her hands were bound, like the first victim, Purdy. She was clothed and wrapped in a blue tarp. In 1954, Governor Samuel King commuted the mens sentences from death to 90 years in prison. The story of the 'Honolulu Strangler,' the Hawaii serial killer When Lindas body was found, police arrested the informant as their primary suspect. It was at this point the roommate reported her missing to the police. This includes ebooks of every book and magazine on the site. Her decomposing body was wrapped in a blue tarp and she was still wearing her blue dress. The most recent the murder of four members of the McStay family found buried in the California desert in November 2013 is under active investigation. The Honolulu Strangler - Killer.Cloud the Serial Killer Database Police decided to search the entire island and then found her body. Gay worked at an air cargo operation where he had access to those materials daily. Gay attended Victor Valley College, received his associate degree, and was employed by Continental Telephone in Victorville, where he held jobs as a lineman and teletype repairman. The ex wife says that Gay would leave the house after the fights and would not return until the next day. These 5 cases of murder and mayhem are more unbelievable because they happened in a place of beauty and tranquility . WebThese 5 Famous Homicides In Hawaii Will Never Be Forgotten 1) The Xerox Murders Kenny Alexander/Flickr On November 2, 1999, Xerox service technician Byran Uyegusi killed This time it was 21 year old Denise Hughes that was the victim. Medeiros was planning to catch a bus from the airport to her Waipahu apartment. In describing the circumstances surrounding domestic violence, sex crimes, serial killings, arson, child abductions, hostage taking and other crimes, Dias and Dingeman honor the victims and their families as they describe the responsibilities of the police, the courts and the media in investigating and reporting these crimes. At any rate the next morning Gary finds his wife's car in the parking lot of the Shorebird Hotel. There's not a huge amount of information out there. Honolulu Strangler - Wikiwand The Keehi Lagoon area was part of an urban beach park. The witness successfully picked the suspect out of a photo line-up as the man. A cement block had been placed on her back. On April 30, 1986 36-year-old Linda Pesce was reported missing by her roommate. Theyre doing their job..Gay returned to California in June 1986 to see his son, Jason, graduate from high school. Witnesses said they saw a man and a van parked near her car. The tragic deaths of five women and an escaped murderer known WebLouise Medeiros was the fourth victim of the Honolulu Strangler and prompted police to start a sting operation to try and catch the killer Breaking Homicide looks into the case of Retired homicide lieutenant Gary A. Dias and reporter Robbie Dingeman provide inside information about some of Oahus most disturbing crimes. Police and investigators set up sting operations using police women around Keehi Lagoon and the Honolulu International Airport. Howard traveled throughout the world, training aircraft mechanics on airframe and powerplant systems on large cargo planes. Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, HI): Victim was apparently waiting for bus, by Lester Chang. Hes an individual who may be, at this particular juncture, may be experiencing girlfriend or marital problems and the selection of victims is probably the result of opportunity or chance encounters, former Honolulu Police Chief Douglas Gibb said back in 1986. The Honolulu Advertiser (Honolulu, HI): Witnesses often key to solving old cases, by Rod Ohira. Gay was interrogated between 8:00 pm and 3:00 am, and despite failing a polygraph test, he was released due to a lack of evidence. She was found at Keehi Lagoon with her hands bound behind her back. He would have no prior criminal charges. Ganal was tried and convicted of murder in the first-degree, the most serious grade of murder in the state of Hawaii, reserved for the most heinous of killers. Active from 1985-1986 in Honolulu, Hawaii, Purdy's husband said he wife was so big and strong it would have taken 2 men to kill her, Honolulu installed 2-way radios on their buses as a result of the attacks, One suspect contacted police saying he had information from a psychic. Hawaii: The Honolulu Strangler | Unsolved - Sites at Penn State Unfortunately they could only test for blood type at the time. Vicki worked at the Wahiawa Video Rental store, which was a point of contention between her and Gary. The victims were 17-year-old Regina Sakamoto, 21-year-old Denise Hughes, 25-year-old Louise Medeiros "We were lying in my bedroom. Like the other victims, Denise had her hands bonus behind her back, and had been sexually assaulted and strangled. She had found peace within herself," recalled her eldest sister, Brenda Durant, of the last visit. Gary Purdy had long objected to his wifes place of work, for the video store was known to sell pornographic films. Benefit Events, Concerts and Fundraisers for Maui Wildfire Relief, The Many Ways Honolulu Showed Up to Support Maui, Dj Food: A Look Back at Past Hale Aina Awards and Winners, Maui Wildfires: How to Support Our Maui Neighbors From Oahu, Watch: Maui Ola Livestream at 6 p.m. Tonight. If you are interested in joining our team, contact us at On May 29 Vicki went to a club with a couple friends in Waikiki. On September 12, 1931, Thalia Massie, a young navy wife, was found by passers-by two hours after leaving a party where she had been drinking heavily. Despite the arrest of a suspect, the lack of evidence linking him to the crimes resulted in his release and the case has remained unsolved. In February her body was found. They escaped a prison work crew on March 10, 1948.

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