A convict out on work release is accused of murdering his girlfriend and then proceeding to attack his estranged wife with a knife. John Nihipali Sr reportedly entered his girlfriend’s apartment around 10:30 am on March 5, left alone at 2:45 pm, and then drove to his ex-wife’s residence. Upon arrival, he encountered his estranged wife inside the house.
Later, their 15-year-old son arrived at the house with his mother. After a short while, the son heard his mother scream, and upon investigating, he found his mother lying on the ground in a pool of blood with his father standing over her with a knife. The son managed to intervene and grab his father’s hand holding the weapon as the mother tried to escape.
Subsequently, the son chased his father out of the house and sought help for his injured mother. The police arrived to find the mother with severe cuts on her face, neck, and torso. She was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Nihipali Sr was reported to have left the house with an eight-inch knife but was subdued by a police officer using a Taser.
Later that day, police discovered Nihipali Sr’s girlfriend dead at their shared apartment. According to authorities, he allegedly fatally stabbed her before taking her car keys and driving to his ex-wife’s house. Honolulu police stated that Nihipali Sr was participating in a work furlough program at the time of the incidents and was wearing a court-ordered ankle monitor.
In court, Nihipali Sr faced multiple charges, including second-degree murder, first-degree attempted murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree burglary, and second-degree escape. The judge ordered him to remain in custody without bail. Deputy prosecuting attorney Julia Kaneshiro emphasized the seriousness of the charges, citing the risk of flight and harm to others posed by Nihipali Sr.
