The family of a 29-year-old Makakilo man who died Saturday after he was assaulted Thursday said his death is especially difficult to comprehend since the man accused of killing him was a trusted friend and was welcomed in their home.
"What really hits the family is not how he left us," said Leilani Elmy, sister of victim Albert Meyer. "It was a friend that basically betrayed him — in the end, murdered his friend. That’s what’s hard for the family, basically hard for the whole Makakilo community."
Prosecutors on Tuesday charged Royce Gouveia, 27, of Makaha with manslaughter. His bail was set at $250,000.
Gouveia was also charged regarding a Sept. 6 incident with assault, terroristic threatening, kidnapping and abuse of a family or household member. Bail for those charges is $100,000.
The Medical Examiner’s Office said determining the cause of Meyer’s death may take six to eight weeks.
Meyer’s brother-in-law, Kona Auld, said Meyer was hit once in the back of the head, fell and hit his head on the ground.
Police were called to Hookamo Street, a few blocks from Meyer’s home, at 8:45 p.m. Thursday and found him on the sidewalk unconscious. Police said he was taken to a hospital in critical condition with substantial injuries, and died Saturday.
Police arrested Gouveia on Monday at his Lahaina Street apartment, where his roommate Chris Medeiros was shot Sept. 12 and died the next day. Chad Duran, 27, has been charged with second-degree murder in Medeiros’ death.
Elmy said Meyer knew Medeiros but said the family knows of no link between the two deaths.
Gouveia has a criminal record that includes convictions for felony drug offenses, auto theft and misdemeanor assault.
"They used to cut each other’s hair," Auld said. That’s how good friends they were."
"We would let him in the house, let him eat, shower," Auld said of Gouveia. "That’s what makes it hard."
Meyer is survived by sons Azariah Meyer, 4, and Kaiser Meyer, 4 months.
Elmy said Meyer was planning to shop for Azariah’s birthday party Friday.
"He just never made it," she said. The boy’s mother took him to Meyer’s house Monday for a birthday celebration, she said. "She tried to make it happen, but it’s kind of hard when he asks where’s his dad.
"For those who have it in them to take a life," Elmy said, she has this message: "That’s someone’s son. That’s someone’s father. You’re not just taking a life. You’re wounding a family."
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Correction: An earlier version of this story said Royce Gouveia was charged with second-degree murder and his bail was set at $350,000.
