A spokeswoman for the family of Shannell Moku, who was beaten to death Thursday at her Waimanalo home, said she and the family still love and support the alleged killer: Moku’s 15-year-old son.
Gwen Kailihiwa, Shannell Moku’s aunt, addressed reporters Sunday outside her home, just a few blocks from where Moku lived and died.
"For my nephew, we want him to know that we love him, his whole, entire family loves him," Kailihiwa said before directly addressing the teen. "We love you, boy. Wherever you at, if we could speak to you … we hope we can impact you and let you know that we’re still here."
Police and emergency medical services personnel were called to Moku’s Bell Street home Thursday around 8:45 p.m. after neighbors heard calls for help. Paramedics found Moku in extremely critical condition at the scene and transported her to Castle Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
Police located her teenaged son nearby around 9:15 p.m. and arrested him.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office determined that Moku died as a result of blunt force injuries to the head and face.
He was charged Saturday morning with second-degree murder. It has not yet been determined whether he will be tried as a juvenile or as an adult.
On Sunday, Kailihiwa thanked extended family, friends and church leaders for their support in the aftermath of the killing.
Shannell Moku had four other children, ages 19, 6, 5 and 3, who are being cared for by Moku’s sister and mother.
Kailihiwa said that as news of the killing has spread, the family has been dismayed by rumors and speculation proffered anonymously online and within her own Waimanalo community.
"We can go to the supermarket and we can hear it in the other aisle," Kailihiwa said. "Sometimes you don’t even want to be out in the open. You want to be isolated so you don’t have to hear all of that."
Kailihiwa alluded to behavioral problems that her grandnephew had in school and to "services" that Shannell Moku sought from the state. She declined to elaborate further except to say that her family had offered and continues to offer its support.
Funeral arrangements for Moku are still pending. Kailihiwa said the family is seeking to set up a fund for Moku’s children.
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Editor’s note: The name of the teenage suspect has been removed from this story to comply with the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s standard practice of not naming children accused of a crime.
