Nearly 50 years after the brutal murder of 16-year-old Dawn Momohara at McKinley High School in Honolulu, police have arrested a former schoolmate, thanks to advancements in DNA testing.
Gideon Castro, 66, was taken into custody at a nursing home in Utah last week. He has been charged with second-degree murder after DNA evidence linked him to the crime scene. Castro is now awaiting extradition to Honolulu.
“It’s a bittersweet moment,” said Susie Chun Oakland, a former McKinley High student who vividly recalls the day Momohara’s body was found. “I’m happy for her family that this case was resolved. But it’s sad there are so many other cases that are not.”
A Community Shaken
The horrific discovery on March 21, 1977, sent shockwaves through Hawaii’s close-knit community. Dawn was found partially clothed with an orange cloth tightly wrapped around her neck. Police revealed evidence of sexual assault and strangulation.
“It was our first experience with a crime like that. It was very sad that someone actually died that way,” said Chun Oakland, now a program coordinator at a senior center. “People were afraid. In our state, we take care of each other. We grow up looking out for one another.”
The tragedy deeply affected the McKinley High School community. Dawn, described as quiet and shy, disappeared the night before her body was discovered. Her family began searching for her when she didn’t return home after telling her mother she was going out with friends. Hours later, her lifeless body was found outside a classroom.
Authorities initially interviewed friends, family, and acquaintances, including Castro and his brother, both of whom were Dawn’s schoolmates. Castro, who graduated in 1976, told police he had last seen Dawn at a carnival in 1977. Despite extensive efforts, investigators failed to identify a suspect, and the case went cold for decades.
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Breakthrough in the Case
The turning point came in 2019, when cold case detectives revisited evidence from the crime. Using modern forensic techniques, they obtained a partial DNA profile from evidence on Dawn’s clothing.
By 2023, investigators identified Castro and his brother as potential suspects. They collected DNA samples from the suspects’ children, ruling out Castro’s brother but finding a match to Castro’s son. Detectives then obtained a direct DNA sample from Castro earlier this month, which confirmed the match.
“On behalf of the Honolulu Police Department, I want to thank all the individuals and agencies that made today’s arrest possible,” said Lt. Deena Thoemmes. “Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the tireless pursuit of justice for Dawn and the Momohara family.”
Castro was arrested on January 16 at 7:40 a.m. in Utah. Honolulu police have confirmed that he will be extradited to Hawaii to face charges.
A Long-Awaited Closure
For many, the arrest brings a sense of closure to a case that has haunted the community for nearly half a century. Chun Oakland reflected on the impact of the tragedy and its resolution, emphasizing the importance of compassion and care in society.
“It’s just caring for one another. That should guide us in our life and how we live it,” she said. “I don’t know Dawn’s family, but I hope for her relatives, at least, there’s closure.”
While the arrest marks a significant milestone, it also serves as a reminder of the countless unsolved cases still awaiting justice. For Dawn’s family and the Honolulu community, the long-delayed breakthrough offers a measure of peace in the face of an enduring tragedy.