HONOLULU, HI – Nearly five decades after the brutal murder of 16-year-old Dawn Momohara, Honolulu police have made a breakthrough arrest, thanks to advancements in DNA technology. Momohara was found sexually assaulted and strangled inside McKinley High School in 1977, a crime that had long haunted the community and baffled investigators.
The case remained unsolved for years, with few leads and a composite sketch that led nowhere. At the time, police interviewed Gideon Castro and his brother, both of whom graduated from McKinley High School. Despite being questioned, they denied any involvement, and the investigation went cold.
In 2019, a new wave of forensic DNA technology reignited hope for justice. Investigators were able to extract a genetic profile from male bodily fluids found on Momohara’s clothing. This pivotal development led police to collect DNA samples from the children of both Castro brothers in 2023.
The breakthrough came when a match was found, revealing that Gideon’s son was the biological child of the unidentified male whose DNA was recovered from the crime scene. This crucial piece of evidence pointed to Gideon Castro, now 66, as a key suspect in the decades-old murder.
The arrest was made at a nursing home in Utah, where Castro had been living. Authorities are now working to extradite him back to Honolulu, where he will face murder charges. The resolution of this case underscores the power of modern forensic science in solving cold cases that once seemed insurmountable.
Honolulu Police Department credits the closure of this case to the significant advancements in DNA technology. The ability to analyze and compare genetic material from 1977 with today’s sophisticated methods proved instrumental in identifying the suspect.
The arrest brings a sense of closure to a case that has lingered in the minds of many for nearly 50 years. It also highlights the persistent efforts of law enforcement to continue seeking justice, no matter how much time has passed.
For the family of Dawn Momohara, this development may finally provide some answers and a measure of peace, knowing that the alleged perpetrator has been identified and will face the judicial process.