John Nihipali, a 55-year-old Hawaii inmate on work furlough, faces serious charges including second-degree murder after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend to death and seriously injuring his estranged wife.
Incident Overview
On Friday afternoon, Nihipali reportedly first attacked his 53-year-old girlfriend in her McCully home around midday, leaving her unresponsive with multiple stab wounds, including defensive injuries on her hands—she later died. He then took her vehicle to Kapolei, arriving around 4 p.m. at his estranged wife’s home, where he stabbed her in the neck before being interrupted by a resident and fleeing; she escaped, called 911, and survived after hospitalization.
Background and Arrest
Nihipali was serving a 25-year sentence at Oahu Community Correctional Center for second-degree assault on the same estranged wife, participating in a resocialization furlough with an ankle monitor when he went AWOL. Police linked the attacks through victim connections, surveillance footage, and the stolen vehicle found at the Kapolei scene; he was subdued and arrested nearby shortly after the second incident.
Charges and Status
Honolulu Police charged him Saturday with second-degree murder, attempted second-degree (and first-degree) murder, burglary, and escape; he’s held without bail. His estranged wife was improving in hospital as of Friday, per HPD’s Lt. Deena Thoemmes, with no next court date specified at the time.
