Hawai’i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section – Area II
Act. Captain Thomas Shopay
Phone: (808) 326-4646 ext. 266
Report No. 20-014412
Media Release
Hawaiʻi Island Police are conducting a criminal investigation after the discovery of a body this morning (February 19) near ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay in the district of South Kohala.
The identity of the female body is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin. However, the body was located in the general area where Smriti Saxena (F-41 of Bellevue, Washington) was reported as a missing person and last seen Tuesday evening (February 18).
Sonam Saxena (M-43 of Bellevue, Washington) had been arrested on the count of Murder in the second- degree as detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section are continuing this investigation. An autopsy is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death.
Police ask anyone who may have been in the area of the south beach area of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay Tuesday evening (February 18) to please contact Detective Keith Simeona at (808) 326-4646 x281 or email Keith.Simeona@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.