Hawaii man accused of killing mother-in-law with sword
05/05/2023 12:06 pm PDT
KEA’AU, Hawaii (TCD) -- A 52-year-old man faces a murder charge after he allegedly killed his mother-in-law with a sword in a "violent" attack.
According to the Hawai’i Police Department, on Friday, April 28, officers responded to a disturbance call at a home on 38th Avenue in Orchidland Estates and found Christopher Howlind in need of medical assistance. He reportedly had blood all over his clothes and injuries to his hands. Police also found a "large sword covered in blood" next to him.
Officers requested an ambulance for Howlind, and as they waited, they discovered 58-year-old Teri Lynn Apple deceased with knife wounds to her neck, hands, and body. Police subsequently arrested Howlind on suspicion of murder.
Hawai’i Police said Howlind began vomiting inside the ambulance and became unresponsive. He was admitted to Hilo Medical Center, and officials believe he "ingested some type of chemical liquid prior to police arriving on scene."
He was released from the hospital April 30, but Hawai’i Police did not detain him due to his condition at the time of his arrest. Detectives, however, obtained an arrest warrant and took him into custody May 4.
A forensic pathologist conducted an autopsy May 2 and determined Apple died from "multiple chop wounds and sharp-forced injuries."
Her death was ruled a homicide.
The Hawai’i County District Attorney’s Office is charging Howlind with second-degree murder. His bail is set at $1 million.
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