Honolulu man charged after woman is found dead in burning car in high school parking lot

HONOLULU (TCD) — A 25-year-old man is facing a murder charge after a 21-year-old woman was found dead inside a burning car at a high school earlier this week.

Honolulu Police Department arrest records show Samuel Jones was taken into custody Monday, March 13, at 7:16 a.m. on suspicion of second-degree murder.

According to KHON-TV, Honolulu Police Department officers responded to Mililani High School regarding a vehicle on fire at approximately 7 a.m. on March 13. Lt. Deena Thoemmes told KHON police saw a man “opening and closing doors during the fire,” but he soon fled. Thoemmes said firefighters discovered the body after extinguishing the blaze. Mililani High School is reportedly on spring break, so school was not in session when this occurred.

Witnesses reportedly followed the suspect, Jones, until police found him less than a mile away. Hawaii News Now reports Jones was allegedly carrying a “blade” or sharp weapon.

The victim, 21-year-old Laau Laulusa, who went by her middle name, Jordan, reportedly died from stab wounds to the neck. Court documents cited by KHON say Jones was in possession of a backpack with “visible burn marks and had a heavy odor emitting from his person that smelled like burnt plastic.”

His shoe was reportedly partially melted and he had what looked like blood on his ankle.

Laulusa had been a member of the Hawaii National Guard since 2019.

KHON reports Jones’ bond is set at $1 million.

MORE: