Topline: Police say the suspect was arrested in a nursing home in Utah.
Published: January 28, 2025 8:00 am ET
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Dawn Momohara (via Honolulu Police Department)
HONOLULU, HI — Advanced DNA testing has led to an arrest in connection with the 1977 murder of 16-year-old Dawn Momohara, in Honolulu.
According to NBC News, Gideon Castro, now 66, was apprehended last week at a nursing home in Utah and charged with second-degree murder.
Momohara’s body was discovered on March 21, 1977, in a second-floor classroom at the school’s English building. She was a sophomore at the school at the time.
According to Honolulu Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes, she was found “lying on her back, partially clothed,” and had an orange cloth wound tightly around her neck.
Investigations determined that Momohara had been raped and strangled.
The teen had left her home that day, telling her mother she was heading to a shopping center with friends. However, she was never seen alive again. Despite numerous interviews and efforts to track down leads, the case went cold, with no suspects emerging.
In 2019, advancements in DNA testing revitalized the investigation. The following year, investigators were able to create a DNA profile from sperm found on Momohara’s shorts. With the help of federal agencies, Honolulu police were able to match the DNA to Castro earlier this month, NBC News reported.
Castro is currently in custody in Utah, awaiting extradition to Honolulu.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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DNA Match Solves 1977 Cold Case Murder of Hawaii Teen
Police say the suspect was arrested in a nursing home in Utah.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 28, 2025 8:00 am ET
Dawn Momohara (via Honolulu Police Department)
HONOLULU, HI — Advanced DNA testing has led to an arrest in connection with the 1977 murder of 16-year-old Dawn Momohara, in Honolulu.
According to NBC News, Gideon Castro, now 66, was apprehended last week at a nursing home in Utah and charged with second-degree murder.
Momohara’s body was discovered on March 21, 1977, in a second-floor classroom at the school’s English building. She was a sophomore at the school at the time.
According to Honolulu Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes, she was found “lying on her back, partially clothed,” and had an orange cloth wound tightly around her neck.
Investigations determined that Momohara had been raped and strangled.
The teen had left her home that day, telling her mother she was heading to a shopping center with friends. However, she was never seen alive again. Despite numerous interviews and efforts to track down leads, the case went cold, with no suspects emerging.
In 2019, advancements in DNA testing revitalized the investigation. The following year, investigators were able to create a DNA profile from sperm found on Momohara’s shorts. With the help of federal agencies, Honolulu police were able to match the DNA to Castro earlier this month, NBC News reported.
Castro is currently in custody in Utah, awaiting extradition to Honolulu.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
DNA Match Solves 1977 Cold Case Murder of Hawaii Teen
Police say the suspect was arrested in a nursing home in Utah.
By Jacob Charles
Published: January 28, 2025 8:00 am ET
Dawn Momohara (via Honolulu Police Department)
HONOLULU, HI — Advanced DNA testing has led to an arrest in connection with the 1977 murder of 16-year-old Dawn Momohara, in Honolulu.
According to NBC News, Gideon Castro, now 66, was apprehended last week at a nursing home in Utah and charged with second-degree murder.
Momohara’s body was discovered on March 21, 1977, in a second-floor classroom at the school’s English building. She was a sophomore at the school at the time.
According to Honolulu Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes, she was found “lying on her back, partially clothed,” and had an orange cloth wound tightly around her neck.
Investigations determined that Momohara had been raped and strangled.
The teen had left her home that day, telling her mother she was heading to a shopping center with friends. However, she was never seen alive again. Despite numerous interviews and efforts to track down leads, the case went cold, with no suspects emerging.
In 2019, advancements in DNA testing revitalized the investigation. The following year, investigators were able to create a DNA profile from sperm found on Momohara’s shorts. With the help of federal agencies, Honolulu police were able to match the DNA to Castro earlier this month, NBC News reported.
Castro is currently in custody in Utah, awaiting extradition to Honolulu.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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