Friends: Victim in deadly H-3 stabbing was pregnant, tried to leave relationship

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Authorities identified the suspect in Wednesday’s fatal stabbing on the H-3 Freeway as the victim’s estranged husband, and friends described the relationship as “abusive.”

The medical examiner identified the victim as Dana Alotaibi. The 27-year-old woman was stabbed to death Wednesday night as good Samaritans tried to intervene. One of them recalled what happened moments after the attack.

“I seen that guy grab that knife and poke himself in his neck twice,” said witness George Schmidt.

Schmidt was returning from pig hunting with his family and friends when he witnessed a man beating a woman on the side of the road near the Kapaa Quarry transfer station.

He pulled over along with another man who tackled the suspect. They later realized the suspect had stabbed the woman multiple times.

“I ran there and told him to let her go... I just seen blood all over her, she was full of blood,” Schmidt said.

And in another heartbreaking development, those who knew the victim also said she was pregnant.

Police declined to confirm that detail, saying they were awaiting autopsy results.

In a statement, Marine Corps Base Hawaii said the suspect is an active duty Marine assigned to the 3rd Littoral Combat Team in Kaneohe. The military also offered condolences to the victim and said they were cooperating with Honolulu police.

Friends of the victim say she had been trying to get out of the abusive relationship for years and that military police had ordered her husband not to contact her.

“He was afraid to reach out for mental health, because of he was in the military,” said a friend, who asked not to be identified. “But, you know, she was reaching out for help as a wife.”

Friends say the couple were married for three years but recently separated.

Sources also told Hawaii News Now that the victim was 13 weeks pregnant with her current boyfriend and planned to move back to the mainland to be with her family.

“She was very excited about this,” her friend said. “And I was excited for her. And it’s just so devastating.”

The stabbing happened just after 6 p.m. near Kapaa Quarry Road in Kailua, where police said witnesses saw a man standing over a woman and repeatedly stabbing her.

HPD said after an argument between the couple, the suspect pulled over, got out of the car, and started stabbing the woman.

In a news conference Thursday, Lt. Deena Thoemmes of the HPD’s Criminal Investigation Division confirmed the suspect and victim had recently been going through marital problems.

“At the time of the incident, they were arguing before he stabbed her multiple times that caused her fatal injuries,” Thoemmes said.

Authorities said the woman was taken to a hospital in critical condition with multiple stab wounds and was later pronounced dead.

Authorities also said bystanders tried to stop the suspect, but he ran into the bushes with the weapon.

They eventually found the suspect, who also had multiple stab wounds. Police said the man reportedly used the same knife to injure himself.

EMS transported the man in his 30s to the hospital in serious condition where he remains in custody.

Domestic violence in the military is not uncommon.

The Domestic Violence Action Center says about 10% of its clients are from the military.

“They don’t want to necessarily get their partner in trouble or impact their standing in military. But they need help. And they maybe are undecided, and getting some help outside of the system,” said Nanci Kreidman, CEO of the Domestic Violence Action Center.

Kreidman says tragedies like this lead to an increase in calls and requests for help.

She hopes it will motivate military leaders to do more to support families dealing with domestic abuse.

“If a person is used to using aggression and force, they have been told that that’s acceptable and desirable. And so they might use that same kind of aggression force in a family relationship or a partnership,” she said.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES:

• Oahu Helpline: (808) 531-3771
• Toll-Free Helpline: (800) 690-6200
• Text Line: (605) 956-5680

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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