LIHUE — The death of an 88-year-old Omao man is being investigated as a possible homicide and a suspect is in custody. Kauai police are investigating the death of Amby Cruz. In response to a routine medical call early New
LIHUE — The death of an 88-year-old Omao man is being investigated as a possible homicide and a suspect is in custody.
Kauai police are investigating the death of Amby Cruz. In response to a routine medical call early New Year’s Day, responders of the Kauai Fire Department found the man unresponsive and Cruz was pronounced dead after being transported to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
An autopsy was conducted on Jan. 2. The results are not yet final, but it was determined that the victim suffered a single fatal gunshot wound to the head.
“On behalf of the Kaua‘i Police Department, I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Cruz family for their loss, and I want to assure them and the public, that we will do everything within our power to solve this case to bring justice for the victim,” said Kaua‘i Police Chief Darryl Perry.
Initially there were no leads in the case although investigators interviewed friends and family of the victim as well as neighbors. Over the course of seven days, they gathered evidence, facts and statements that resulted in an arrest warrant being issued for Giovani Corpuz, 41, also of Omao.
Corpuz, while en route to the Philippines, was taken into custody on Jan. 8 with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Honolulu Office and the cooperation of the Taipei government. He was then transferred to the United States Marshals Service, Hawaii District and is currently awaiting extradition back to the U.S. to face charges.
Kauai Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar thanked the federal and local agencies involved in apprehending the suspect.
“The public is reminded that at this point, Corpuz is only accused of a crime and is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law,” Kollar said.
Anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact Det. Bernard Purisima at 241-1682. Anonymous tipsters can call CrimeStoppers at 241-1887.
