Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"This is the story of the Honolulu Strangler." — Ashley Flowers
"The Honolulu PD aren't saying anything about a connection. So this is just a theory that you mean the public is coming up with, kind of, but actually it's a little more legit than that." — Britt
"members of the task force took on a new chore, tailing him, tracking his movements, the police were close to him around the clock at his home in business. Wherever he went, HPD officers went." — Ashley Flowers
This episode of Crime Junkie details the unsettling string of murders that occurred in Honolulu between January and April of 1986, collectively referred to as the Honolulu Strangler case. The investigation begins with the disappearance and subsequent discovery of Regina Sakamoto, a 17-year-old, followed by the body of Vicki Purdy, a 25-year-old, found in the same lagoon. Investigators began to notice significant similarities: both victims were strangled, their hands bound behind their backs with paracord, and signs pointed to sexual assault. The pattern intensified with the discovery of Denise Hughes, also found in the lagoon with hands bound by paracord. A fourth victim, Louise Maduros, was found 12 miles away but still exhibited the same binding method and was located near water, prompting the formation of an official task force.
As the investigation progressed, similarities in victimology and the method of binding led authorities to suspect a serial offender. The presence of paracord, a durable cord used in parachutes, and the proximity of crime scenes to the Honolulu Airport became notable details. While initial police statements downplayed connections, the escalating frequency of the murders and the distinct modus operandi, including the binding of hands with paracord, pushed investigators to acknowledge the possibility of a serial killer. The case took a significant turn with the discovery of Linda Pesci's body, whose abandoned car and subsequent finding on Sand Island provided crucial leads, including a description of a light-colored cargo van and a potential suspect's name.
The investigation ultimately focused on Howard Gay, whose name appeared on a notepad belonging to Linda Pesci. Evidence gathered included witness accounts placing a similar van near Pesci's car, a profile suggesting a white male in his late 30s to early 40s, and crucially, semen samples from victims indicating reproductive issues or a vasectomy, which Gay had undergone. Despite strong circumstantial evidence and a polygraph that either failed or was inconclusive, prosecutors declined to indict, citing insufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The task force was disbanded, and Gay was placed under surveillance before eventually leaving Hawaii. The case remains officially unsolved, though the prevailing theory among investigators points to Howard Gay.