Two women shared warm memories of their sister Mary Beth San Juan on Thursday, recalling the gentle spirit of the woman found dead in the driveway of her Punahou Street house last week.
The women spoke outside Circuit Court, where a man earlier had been indicted for murder in the case.
"She was the free spirit of the family," said older sister Ann Engebretson. "She made us laugh. She made us think more deeply about life because she was so filled with searching and wanting … peace for the world. She was kind — a gentle, loving person."
It was the first time family members of the slain 56-year-old real estate broker and aspiring actress had spoken out since San Juan’s ex-husband found her body July 23 in her driveway at 1224 Punahou St.
Engebretson and younger sister Jill Myers, who flew in from Montana, declined to comment on the murder case except to say they never heard San Juan mention Baker, and believe he was merely an acquaintance, not a friend.
Myers thanked the Honolulu Police Department for the round-the-clock efforts that led to the suspect, the media for coverage of the riveting story and the public.
"The community has been very warm and welcoming and has offered assistance in so many ways," Myers said.
"We always knew Bethy was one of those people everybody loved as much as we do," Engebretson said. "Everyone’s been so supportive. We know her legacy lives on in the people she touched."
An Oahu grand jury Thursday indicted Vernon Baker, 41, on charges of second-degree murder, two counts of third-degree promotion of a dangerous drug and drug paraphernalia. Baker was not charged with robbery, although police said during the investigation they believed that was the motive behind the killing.
After years of delving into different spiritual beliefs, San Juan had in the last two months begun associating with New Hope Christian Fellowship, Engebretson said.
The family welcomes flowers at her home, where someone had recently written "LOVE" in large pink letters on the white front wall.
"We would love to be able to cover the driveway with flowers to cover the ugliness of what happened there with the beauty that was Mary Beth," Myers had said.
The two sisters are staying with San Juan’s ex-husband, Alberto San Juan Jr., and the San Juans’ son, Philip, while in Hawaii.
Although the couple divorced in 2006, "her ex-husband, Al, is her closest friend, has been extremely loyal and dedicated and kind and always there for her," Myers said.
A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday at Nuuanu Memorial Park & Mortuary; visitation will be at 5 p.m.
