Suspect arrested for murder after body discovered inside burned-out car at Mililani High parking lot

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A 25-year-old man was arrested for second-degree murder Monday morning after a body was discovered inside a burned-out vehicle at Mililani High, authorities confirmed.

Honolulu police identified the suspect as Samuel Jones.

The gruesome discovery came after witnesses reported a car fire in the high school’s parking lot about 6:40 a.m.

Firefighters, EMS and Honolulu police were all at the scene by 7 a.m.

When firefighters arrived, the fire was already out.

And inside the vehicle, they discovered an unresponsive woman. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

HPD Lt. Deena Thoemmes said witnesses told arriving officers that they noticed a man around the burning car who had been “opening and closing doors during the fire and then fled on foot.”

She added, “Witnesses continued to follow that male until the other officers arrived.”

Police detained the suspect until he was positively identified by the witnesses, Thoemmes said.

Witnesses also reported that when the suspect was walking away from the burning vehicle, he was carrying some type of “blade” or weapon. The suspect was arrested for murder and an investigation is ongoing.

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

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