Hawai‘i Island police are asking the public for any new information regarding the murder of Smriti Saxena, whose body was found on the southern shoreline of Anaehoʻomalu Bay on Wednesday, February 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, February 18, 2020, 43-year-old Sonam Saxena of Bellevue, Washington, reported his wife, 41-year-old Smriti Saxena, as a missing person.

On Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 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.  Later that 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 are asking  anyone who may have seen or spoken to the Saxenas during this time to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311 or contact Detective Sheldon Nakamoto of the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 326-4646 ext. 228 or via email at Sheldon.nakamoto@hawaiicounty.gov.

Photo courtesy of the Hawaiʻi County Police Department