Eric Thompson narrowly got away with murder, according to Honolulu Police, but the 34-year-old businessman was tipped off by a fallen hat. Thompson was arrested this week in connection with the fatal shooting of his wife and former acupuncturist Jon Tokuhara.
At first, police assumed the murder was a random act of violence after Tokuhara, 47, was found at around 8 a.m. on January 13, dead on the floor of the Oahu studio next to three bullet casings. used.
During the month-long investigation, police say they have determined that the killer was driving a white Chevy Silverado, which was spotted on CCTV camera footage. The truck was parked outside the clinic in Waipahu, Oahu, just 45 seconds on the morning of the murder. Police tracked down 53 similar cars on the island and found all the owners, according to Hawaii News Now.
Thompson was the only one with no alibi in the morning, but police were confused because there was no obvious relationship between the men and Thompson was a successful businessman with no obvious criminal inclinations. clear. While it’s hardly scary, they found it odd that the victim was killed the day before Thompson and his wife Joyce’s wedding anniversary.
Upon further investigation of the victim, police found text messages between him and a mysterious married woman, including clear photos in which her face was blurred but recognizable. formable. One text message between the two lovers expressed concern that the woman’s husband had found out about the affair, in which the wife wrote to her lover that “he might kill you” if the affair continued, according to the report. reported by the local media.
There was no further communication after July between the two and it is unclear whether Thompson’s wife, a patient at the acupuncture clinic, continues to see the acupuncturist romantically – or professionally.
Investigating more CCTV footage, police said they noted that the attacker had dropped his hat as he ran from the set on the morning of the murder. Shortly after, the cameras caught a homeless man grabbing the hat, putting it on, and walking away. Police were able to track down the homeless man and retrieve the lost hat, which was tested for hair and DNA that police believe matched Thompson’s.
According to reports, police suspect Thompson’s wife may also be involved in the alleged murder, but so far she has not been charged. Cell phones, Silverado and other evidence were taken by police from the couple’s home on Monday. Police also recovered 12 guns registered in Thompson and two that were not registered in Hawaii. It is unclear if this matches the shell casings found at the crime scene.
Thompson was able to apply for a $1 million cash bail shortly after his arrest on Monday. It is not clear if he returned to his hometown to live with his wife. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday to face the formal arrangement. He faces second-degree murder charges as well as carrying a firearm when committing the felony.
