Regina Sakamoto

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Regina Sakamoto's body was found in 1986, the victim of strangulation by person or persons unknown. She was half Japanese and half Caucasian, and a Leilehua high school senior 17 years of age. Described as having dark blonde hair and being 4 feet, 11 inches tall, and 105 pounds with a light build. She was originally born in Kansas. Regina was a resident of Waipahu, Hawaii, that attended Leilehua high school by bus.

Regina was last seen boarding a city bus in Waipahu approximately 7:15 in the morning of January 14, 1986. According to Regina's family, Regina was late to school, and was rushing to make it to class. Regina failed to arrive at Leileha high school, prompting calls to the police over her failure to return home that night.

On January 15, 1986, Regina Sakamoto was found dead in Keehi Lagoon. Medical Examiners autopsy reports, showed Regina had died from strangulation, with signs of a struggle and rope marks on her wrists. Members of the public have speculated she was a victim of a serial killer, as other women were found with similar marks on their bodies in the area.

The primary suspect was Howard Gay, 43 years old, of formerly Ewa Beach. In 1986 Howard was an aircraft mechanic for an airport cargo company, and was a heavy drinker. Howard has since died in 2003 in the United States from renal failure. Howards was cremated and his remains scattered in a bay area.

This was investigated by the Honolulu Police department's homicide unit, lead by Detective Louis Souza.

[edit] Other girls murdered in the same time period

• Vicki Gail Purdy, Mililani, 25, May 30, 1985 Keehi Lagoon
• Denise Hughes, Pearl City, 21, February 1, 1986. Keehi Lagoon
• Louise Medeiros, Kauai, 25, April 2, 1986, Near the Freeway
• Linda Pesce, Moanalua, 36, May 3 Sand Island pier docks