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02-21-20 Police release murder suspect pending further investigation (Update)

Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section, Area II
Act. Captain Thomas Shopay
Phone: (808) 326-4646 ext. 266
Report No. 20-014412

 

 

Media Release (Update)

Hawaiʻi Island Police are continuing a criminal investigation into the discovery of a body on the southern shoreline of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay this past Wednesday (February 19).  

On Tuesday (February 18), at approximately 11:20 p.m., Sonam Saxena (M-43 of Bellevue, Washington) reported his wife Smriti Saxena (F-41, also of Bellevue, Washington) as a missing person. 

On Wednesday (February 19), at approximately 7:30 a.m., a body of a female was located along the shoreline. Detectives continued their investigation and were able to confirm that the body was that of Smriti Saxena.

At 1:30 p.m. on  (February 19), Sonam Saxena was arrested on the count of Murder in the second-degree and was being held at the Kealakehe Police Station as the investigation continued.

An autopsy was conducted and further testing is needed to determine the exact cause of death.

Today, Friday (February 21) at 1:20 p.m., after conferring with prosecutors, Sonam Saxena was released pending investigation. Detectives with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section are continuing this investigation.

Police ask anyone who may have been in the area or near the south beach of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay or may have seen Sonam or Smriti Tuesday evening (February 18) to, please contact Detective Keith Simeona at (808) 326-4646 ext. 281, email Keith.Simeona@hawaiicounty.gov or call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.