A 23-year-old woman remained hospitalized today after her husband allegedly struck her several times with a hammer at their Waipahu home, fled, then committed suicide by jumping from an overpass.
The attack occurred sometime before 11 p.m. Sunday at the couple’s two-story house in a quiet cul-de-sac on Apii Street.
A neighbor said he didn’t hear anyone arguing at the house Sunday night, but was awakened by sirens and flashing lights as emergency personnel arrived.
The woman was taken to the hospital in critical condition. She remained in serious condition Monday afternoon.
Police said the woman’s husband, Anthony Kaai, 40, fled the scene and jumped from the H-1 freeway overpass near Waikele Shopping Center.
He was pronounced dead at a hospital from multiple blunt force injuries from the fall, according to the Medical Examiner’s Office. His death was classified as a suicide.
Police shut down Hiapo Street between Paiwa and Kuhaulua streets to conduct an investigation.
Further details on the attempted murder-suicide were not available.
Although the case pushes the issue of domestic violence to the forefront, the Domestic Violence Action Center said Monday there is generally a dip in the number of requests from individuals in Hawaii seeking help in December, reflecting victims who do their best to hold the family together during the holiday season.
"They hope for the best," said Executive Director Nanci Kreidman.
The number of requests then picks up in January.
The action center’s help line receives about 10 to 15 calls a day.
Last year, Kreidman said, the organization assisted victims with 5,004 safety plans, or 417 safety plans a month.
A safety plan is an effort to keep victims out of harm’s way from their abuser in the event of a crisis or assault.
