UPDATE: New Details Surface in Molokai Murder Investigation

Marlin Lavoie. Photo courtesy MPD.

By Wendy Osher

Maui police have released further details in an ongoing murder investigation on Molokai following the shooting death of a woman at the Kawela Barns Apartments overnight.

Maui police have since identified the victim as 24-year-old Malia Kahalewai of Honouliwai, Molokai. According to police reports, Kahalewai suffered fatal injuries as a result of a single gunshot wound to the chest during the incident reported just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20.

Police say an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death is pending.

Police identified the suspect as the woman’s 33-year old boyfriend, Marlin L. Lavoie, also of Honouliwai. Police say the two also had children in common.

Maui Police Lt. Wayne Ibarra from the Maui Police Department’s Community Relations Division issued a report saying Lavoie allegedly fled the scene prior to the arrival of the police.

According to police, Lavoie voluntarily surrendered to police at around 7:51 a.m. on Thursday, March 21.  He was subsequently placed under arrest for second-degree murder and transported to the Molokai Police Station for processing.

As of Thursday afternoon, Lavoie had not been formally charged, and the investigation was ongoing.