Police search for missing novelist on Kaua‘i

LIHU‘E — Detectives believe that a romance novelist has fled to Kaua‘i after being released from a Wyoming jail.

Faleena Marie Hopkins, 52, previously made national headlines in 2018, when she successfully trademarked the word “cocky.”

Hopkins allegedly led police on a 24-mile, high-speed chase through Grand Teton National Park last month, which only ended when officers used spike strips to deflate her tires. She was arrested and booked on six charges, including suspicion of fleeing and attempting to elude police officers.

After her Jan. 27 arrest, Hopkins spent a couple of days at Teton County Jail before being released on a personal recognizance bond on Jan. 30. She has instructions to appear back in federal court on Feb. 28 for an arraignment.

According to the Jackson (Wyoming) Police Department, Hopkins has not been seen or heard from since her Jan. 30 release.

Jackson Police Lt. Russ Ruschill said detectives have traced Hopkins’ whereabouts to Kaua‘i, and that her phone had pinged near the Kapa‘a Public Library and Lihu‘e Walmart within the past 24 hours.

“We are certain that the cellphone we believe is hers, is on the island of Kaua‘i,” said Ruschill.

Ruschill reported they had called and texted the phone, and it was turned off shortly thereafter.

The Kaua‘i Police Department said it is assisting Jackson police in the search.

“Nobody’s spotted her yet,” said KPD Assistant Chief Bryson Ponce. “We’ve been checking some areas out, primarily Kapa‘a, but so far negative results. Sometimes people just blend in.”

Hopkins is known for trying and succeeding at copyrighting the word “cocky” in 2018, which resulted in infringement claims against several other authors who attempted to use the adjective.

Her self-published book series, The Cocker Brothers, makes frequent use of the word in their titles — which include “Cocky Cowboy,” “Cocky Romantic,” “Cocky Senator” and “Cocky Heart Surgeon.”

After backlash from other authors, she surrendered control of the trademark.

She has also made forays into film, directing, writing, and starring in the 2019 film “Just One More Kiss,” which made more than $8 million at the box office, according to the website Rotten Tomatoes.

Jackson police are seeking help from the Kaua‘i public to locate her.

“We’re looking for a needle in a needle stack,” said Ruschill. “The best chance is for the average person to see her on a beach or at the ABC Store.”

Hopkins is listed as a missing person on the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations website, where she is described as a white female, approximately 5’7”, 135 pounds, with green eyes and blond hair.”

The description also notes an infinity symbol on her left wrist, the phrase “Follow All Instincts” on her right wrist, a lion’s face on her left shoulder, and a hummingbird on her right ankle.

Anyone who may have details of her whereabouts is being urged to contact the Jackson Police Department at 307-733-1430 or Kaua‘i Police Department at 808-241-1711.

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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com. Emma Grunwald, reporter, can be reached 808-245-0441 or egrunwald@thegardenisland.com.