Father in pool incident dies

The Kailua man pulled Christmas Day from his backyard pool, where he allegedly tried to kill his 2-year-old daughter and himself, died this week.

The Medical Examiner’s Office said Thomas Morton, 36, died Wednesday at Castle Medical Center. The cause of death was determined to be drowning. The office is awaiting toxicology and investigators’ reports.

Police suspect Morton tried to kill his daughter, opening a second-degree attempted murder case Dec. 25.

Neighbors said Morton, while holding his daughter in his arms, jumped fully clothed into the pool. They saved the girl, then pulled Morton from the pool. He was taken in critical condition by ambulance to the hospital.

Ernest Burlem, a neighbor, said Morton’s twin brother lives in the downstairs unit of their two-story house and is "taking it pretty hard."

"There’s a closeness of twins that is hard to understand," he said.

Burlem said the family took Morton off life support Sunday.

Woman held in Kapaa stabbing

Kauai police arrested a 31-year-old Kapaa woman for allegedly stabbing a 33-year-old man Wednesday at St. Catherine’s cemetery in Kapaa.

Officers were called to the Wilcox Hospital emergency room at 5 p.m. Wednesday after the man was taken there by friends.

The man remained in serious condition Thursday after suffering internal injuries and undergoing surgery.

The victim identified Sheryl Medina Llego as the assailant, who allegedly stabbed him shortly after 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Police arrested Llego on Wednesday evening at her home on one count of first-degree assault.

She was held at the police cellblock in lieu of $20,000 bail.