Army Reservist Accused Of Murdering National Guard Supply Specialist In Hawaii After Body Found In Burning Car

A man has been charged with murder and arson after a body was found inside a burning car in Hawaii, police said.

Around 7:00 a.m. on March 13, emergency crews responded to a car fire in a high school parking lot in Honolulu, KITV reported.

Witnesses reported seeing a man opening and closing doors on the vehicle just before the fire started. The man, later identified as 25-year-old Samuel Jones, then was seen taking off on foot, police said.

Witnesses said they followed the man carrying a “bladed weapon" until police arrived, KITV reported.

Police said officers tracked down Jones and arrested him about a mile away from the scene.

The body of the woman, identified by family as Laau Jordan Laulusa, was found inside the burning car and family said she died from a stab wound to her neck, WSAZ reported.

Jones was charged with second-degree murder and first-degree arson and remains in jail on $1 million bond, according to authorities.

He was a specialist assigned to the US Army Reserve. Laulusa was a supply specialist for the Hawaii Army National Guard since 2019, officials said.

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“Our Aloha and prayers are with her ‘ohana and those who knew this soldier personally and professionally,” said Brig. Gen. Stephen F. Logan, Commanding General of the Hawai‘i Army National Guard. “This is a tragic loss for the entire Hawaii Army National Guard. We are cooperating with authorities during the ongoing investigation,” KITV reported.