An acclaimed local artist was charged Saturday with killing his roommate, a former Marine, in Makakilo.
Danvers Fletcher, 63, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of 64-year-old Paul Loya. He was being held at the Honolulu police cellblock in lieu of $250,000 bail.
Police said Loya became unresponsive during an altercation with Fletcher at their home shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday. Loya died at the scene.
Fletcher was arrested at the Ahiwa Street home about an hour later.
Paula Loya, the victim’s older sister, said by phone Saturday that her family is devastated.
"We loved him," she said. "I’m very angry."
She said her brother, a Marine for 12 years, was a kind and sensitive person. He spent part of his military career in Kaneohe and returned to the islands after leaving the service in the 1980s.
"He was a sweet man in his own way," said Loya, a Mililani resident. "He was always supportive."
Loya later worked as an auto mechanic and retired because of back problems. Health issues caused him to have trouble balancing when he walked.
"Paul was not a fighting person," Loya said. "Danvers Fletcher took advantage of him."
She said her brother never mentioned Fletcher and had a different roommate who helped pay the rent about six months ago. She learned about Fletcher only after his arrest.
She said her brother suffered head and other injuries that ultimately caused his death. Authorities asked her not to give further details, she said.
The Honolulu Medical Examiner’s office did not release a cause of death Saturday.
Fletcher’s arrest surprised George Atkins, owner of Haleiwa Art Gallery, who has been displaying Fletcher’s artwork in his showroom for about 15 years.
He expressed his compassion for Loya’s family and said the "disease of alcoholism is a serious foe" for Fletcher.
He said Fletcher is a solitary person, but would attend the monthly art walk in Haleiwa.
"Everybody loves Danvers. He’s just a loving, compassionate person," Atkins said. "To have this happen is a sign that the world needs to see what the disease does to people."
About a week ago, Fletcher stopped by the gallery to deliver a commissioned, four-panel room divider with Polynesian women representing earth, air, fire and water. The other side was covered with a mural depicting the evolution of Hawaii. It was shipped to the mainland buyer.
"Just a beautiful, beautiful piece," Atkins said.
He described Fletcher’s work as "cultural portraiture" with images of Hawaiian royalty and tattooed Hawaiian women.
"Nobody paints the way he does," Atkins said. "His art capabilities are pretty extraordinary."
He said Fletcher had deep feelings for the history and tradition of all Polynesian cultures.
Fletcher’s work sells in the low range of $1,200 to $5,000 because he wants to keep his work affordable, Atkins said.
"We’re very light on pieces right now because they sell so well," Atkins said. "Some of the highest-end art buyers in Hawaii have his pieces in their homes."
