Police Reclassify “Charli” Scott Case as Homicide

Charli Scott. Homicide investigation underway. Graphics by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Maui police today re-classified the missing person case involving Carly “Charli” Scott as a homicide investigation.

Police say the family has since been notified of the re-classification.

The Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division continues with an active and on-going investigation.

Police say no further information will be released at this time.

Special Response Team officers with the Maui Police Department and a Maui Fire Department helicopter returned to the area of Nuaʻailua Bay this week Tuesday where previous evidence had been recovered in the case.

Nuaʻailua Bay is located between Honomanū Bay and the YMCA in Keʻanae. The location was closed off by police during the initial stages of the investigation amid the discovery of the woman’s clothing and blanket that were found at the location on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014.

The family of “Charli” has since released the following statement via an online post:

“It is with great sadness that we can confirm that the Scott family has been informed by Maui Police that investigation into Charli’s disappearance has been reclassified as a homicide investigation. Without disclosing details of the ongoing investigation, we want to dispel rumors that Charli’s body has been recovered. Sadly, this is untrue. That said, we feel strongly that evidence of this crime should be presented in court and not via rumors and shoddy news reporting.

We would like to thank the Maui Police for their thorough work thus far and encourage the public to cooperate with them in their search to bring Charli and her unborn son’s killer to justice.

Thank you and mahalo for your thoughts and prayers.”

Family members say the previously scheduled volunteer search that was planned for Saturday, March 8, will be cancelled.  Instead, Maui Search and Rescue will be conducting a ‘private’ search in the Honomanū and Keʻanae area.

Background Information:

Carly “Charli” Joann Scott, 27, was last known to have left the Haʻikū area on Sunday night, Feb. 9, 2014, to assist her ex-boyfriend, who family members say asked for help in getting his car pulled out of an area near mile marker 20 of the Hāna Highway.

Scott was five months pregnant when she went missing, and family members have since confirmed that the sex of the unborn child — which was supposed to be a surprise — is a boy.

The woman’s dog, who was with her when she went missing, was found near the Nāhiku Market Place on Monday, Feb. 10, and family members say her vehicle was located on Wednesday night, Feb. 12, in Peʻahi,mauka of the surf spot known as “Jaws.”  Scott’s clothing and blanket were found on Thursday, Feb. 13, at Nuaʻailua Bay just East of Honomanū. The items are located over a span of 25 to 30 miles apart.

Anyone with information that led to Scott’s disappearance is asked to call Detective Wendell Loo at (808) 270-6516 during business hours or (808) 268-2763 after hours.

Family and friends also launched an online anonymous tip survey where the public can provide anonymous tips on Scott’s whereabouts or information that led to her disappearance.

Family members have been providing updates via a Facebook page to assist in disseminating information regarding the case.