Brother of woman murdered outside Kapolei police station hopes her death sparks change

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The woman murdered just outside the Kapolei police station will be remembered this weekend in services, and her family is hoping her tragedy sparks change.

For the first time, her closest family member ― her brother ― is speaking out about the horrible attack and the woman he remembers as kind and generous.

Steven Burke and his family are in Hawaii for his sister’s public and private services this weekend.

Linda Johnson was killed last month after being released from police custody. Johnson was outside the Kapolei substation when suspect Michael Armstrong allegedly attacked her.

“It’s very disturbing and it shouldn’t have happened,” said Burke.

The two are half siblings but grew up together and were very close.

“We had the typical brother-sister relationship, where she was the cool kid and I was the bratty younger brother,” he said.

They remained close as adults, even after Johnson was diagnosed with a mental illness and moved into a care home to have 24-hour assistance.

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“I would take her out on Sundays,” he said, adding they’d go shopping or to a movie. He would even take her to get her nails done.

But after Burke moved his family to Las Vegas, their time together was mostly spent over the phone.

He said her case worker called him last month with the news that Johnson had been beaten to death.

Johnson had walked away from the care home and was arrested for violating park rules in Waikiki.

The HPD cellblock in Honolulu was being renovated so she was taken to Kapolei to be booked, an area she was not familiar with.

“No means of communication. They simply kicked her out the door,” said attorney Myles Breiner, who represents Burke and the rest of the Johnson family.

Burke wants a law passed that would require law enforcement to notify a family member if someone with a history of mental illness is arrested or if a prisoner is exhibiting signs of mental illness.

“I don’t want Linda’s life to be remembered as a tragedy but more of a spark for change,” Burke said, adding he is talking to lawmakers about a proposal that he would like to be called “Linda’s Law.”

Armstrong has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. He also has been diagnosed with mental illness and has a criminal history, and there are questions about why he was released.

A service for family and friends will be held at Central Union Church this weekend. A public service is scheduled for Sunday at 5:30 pm at Magic Island.

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