POLICE BEAT
Big Island shooting victim in forest for days
By Will Hoover
Advertiser Staff Writer
Big Island police detectives are continuing their investigation into the abduction and shooting of a 23-year-old Kurtistown woman who was found disoriented and wandering in a remote forest area of Ka'u late Friday morning, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
The woman was reportedly kidnapped from her Big Island home by three people about a week ago, police said yesterday. Investigators believe she was beaten and taken to a remote Wai'ohinu area of Hao Springs Road and shot several times.
The woman, who police say was confused and unsure of her location, had remained in the area until Friday.
Police said workers from the Department of Water Supply discovered her Friday morning wandering along an unimproved four-wheel-drive trail. They contacted authorities and drove the woman to a rescue staging area. From there she was flown in critical condition to Kona Community Hospital by a fire department helicopter. Her condition was later upgraded to serious.
Detectives from the Kona and Hilo criminal investigations sections have classified the case as an attempted murder. They have ruled out domestic violence. The woman told police that she knows at least one of her assailants.
Authorities ask anyone with information about the abduction and shooting to call Detective Regino Saludares at 808-326-4646, ext. 227, or the department's non-emergency number, 808-935-3311. Those who wish to remain anonymous are asked to call the confidential Crime Stoppers at 808-329-8181 in Kona or 808-961-8300 in Hilo.
Reach Will Hoover at whoover@honoluluadvertiser.com.
