Halawa inmate assaulted, stabbed to death by cellmate

HALAWA, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Honolulu Police Department and Department of Law Enforcement launched an investigation after an inmate was found dead at Halawa Correctional Facility.

Check out what’s going on around the nation on our National News page

According to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, the victim was found bleeding on the floor in his cell with trauma to his head and neck.

Staff immediately called 911 and performed CPR until paramedics arrived at the scene to make the death pronouncement. Honolulu police responded shortly after 1:30 a.m. on Monday.

DCR said the 38-year-old cellmate was removed from the cell and placed in a holding unit.

Attorney Myles Breiner later confirmed the victim was his former client Raita Fukusaku, who was found guilty of murdering a renowned Japanese psychic and her son in 1994.

He was serving time for two counts of second-degree murder.

“It’s unfortunate. This is really sad because Mr. Fukusaku was not someone who had problems in the prison system. He wasn’t gang-related, he seemed to rise above all that. he got along with all the staff. He never had any misconduct in 30 years in prison. That’s rather extraordinary,” said Breiner. “I’m not satisfied with the fact that this occurred. This should not have occurred.”

The Department of Law Enforcement released the following statement:

The Department of Law Enforcement investigates crimes that occur on state propertu including Hawaii’s correctional facilities. DLE is investigating the death of an inmate at halawa Correctional Facility on Oct. 14, 2024. DLE is not releasing additional information at this time.

Brooks Baehr, Department of Law Enforcement

Find more Hawaii, Oahu, Maui and Kauai news here

Officials said the DLE CID is leading the investigation into Fukusaku’s death. The investigation remains ongoing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.