A Honolulu chiropractor allegedly stabbed his wife and three children to death before taking his own life in what police have called Hawaii's "most deadly crime" in 25 years. The harrowing incident unfolded around 9 AM on Sunday when police in the city's Manoa district received a call about a possible domestic dispute inside the family's home.
Responding officers found all five members of the family dead from stab wounds upon arriving at the scene, including the 46-year-old husband, Paris Oda, his 48-year-old wife, Naoko Oda, and their three children-a 17-year-old daughter, a 12-year-old son, and a 10-year-old daughter.
"Based on the evidence found at the scene and the investigation thus far, it appears that the adult male killed the female and the juveniles with a knife that was recovered from the scene," Honolulu Police Department Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes said at a news conference on Sunday. "These don't appear to be random acts. The motive is still under investigation."
Lieutenant Thoemmes noted that the suspected murder-suicide marked Hawaii's "most deadly crime" since seven victims were shot dead at a Xerox Corporation building by an employee named Bryan Koji Uyesugi on November 2, 1999.
According to Honolulu Police Department Chief Arthur "Joe" Logan, officers were first called to the family's home at approximately 8:30 AM. The officers spoke to someone inside the home before leaving the premises. They returned 30 minutes later following a second call, at which point they discovered the harrowing murder scene.
"So really they didn't have enough information to make entry into the dwelling until we came back at 9 AM and spoke to another witness who provided more information," Chief Logan explained during a press conference. "This doesn't happen in Hawaii very often," he added.
Neighbors expressed their shock and disbelief at the tragedy that unfolded in their quiet community. Hiro Izumo, a neighbor, told KITV that he had not noticed anything amiss with the family, describing them as "the typical, really festive family, they dress up the house for the holidays and it's normal."
Another neighbor, Aime Wakai, said, "It's concerning. Neighbors are kind of scared. Usually we don't have a lot of crime around here its real quiet, so everyone wants to be safe and make sure everyone is okay, but it's just something that doesn't happen here."
Chief Logan and Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi expressed their deepest condolences to the family and the Honolulu community following the devastating incident. "I'd like to give our heartfelt condolences to the families," the Honolulu police chief said. "It's unfortunate and very sad."
Mayor Blangiardi echoed the sentiment in a statement, saying, "This inexplicable tragedy has deeply shaken our community. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends grappling with this profound loss."
Local schools, including Manoa Elementary School and the private college prep Iolani School, have announced plans to provide support and counseling for students, faculty, and staff in the wake of the tragedy.
The identities of the deceased family members are expected to be officially released in a report from the medical examiner's office in the coming days. As the community grapples with this profound loss, investigators continue to search for answers and a motive behind the devastating crime that has left the city of Honolulu in shock and mourning.
