HPD Renews Request For Information on Murder Investigation

A Big Island murder case from early last year remains an active investigative matter for Hawai‘i County police.

HPD on Thursday renewed its request for the public’s assistance in providing information on the murder of Smriti Saxena, whose body was found on the southern shoreline of ʻAnaehoʻomalu Bay on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. An autopsy revealed the manner of death as homicide and police are awaiting the analysis of evidence as the investigation continues.

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, at approximately 11:20 p.m., 43-year-old Sonam Saxena of Bellevue, Washington, reported his wife, 41-year-old Smriti Saxena, also of Bellevue, Washington, as a missing person.

On Wednesday, Feb. 19, at approximately 7:30 a.m., a female body was located along the shoreline. Detectives continued their investigation and were able to confirm that the body was that of Smriti Saxena.

At 1:30 p.m. that same day, Sonam Saxena was arrested on the count of murder in the second-degree and was later released from custody, after conferring with the prosecutors. 

Police ask anyone who may have seen or spoken to the Saxenas during this time, or who may have any information about the investigation, to call the department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Detective Sheldon Nakamoto of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 326-4646 ext. 228 or via email at Sheldon.nakamoto@hawaiicounty.gov.