A tragic incident unfolded as a Hawaiian social media influencer and beauty entrepreneur, Theresa Cachuela, 33, and a mother of three, was fatally shot by her estranged husband, Jason Cachuela, 44, in the parking lot of the Pearlridge Center. The heartbreaking event took place in front of their daughter, who reported that her father pulled the trigger. Authorities are investigating the case as a murder-suicide, as Jason reportedly took his own life shortly after fleeing the scene in a grey Mazda.
Two weeks prior to the incident, a judge had granted Theresa an order of protection against her estranged husband. Police Lt. Deena Thoemmes stated that the couple’s relationship was the motive behind the tragic act, and the temporary restraining order (TRO) served on Jason resulted in the classification of the case as first-degree murder. When the TRO was served, police recovered five registered firearms from Jason.
Theresa’s mother, Lucita Ani-Nihoa, expressed the trauma faced by her granddaughter who witnessed the incident. She also highlighted Theresa’s attempts to seek help, stating that the justice system failed her daughter. Theresa had reported continued harassment and stalking by her husband, and had recently filed for divorce due to ongoing abuse.
Jason’s attorney, Michael Green, denied any history of violence against Theresa and their children, and mentioned the couple had agreed on visitation rights for the children. However, Theresa’s mother emphasized that the tragic outcome could have been prevented if her daughter’s pleas for police intervention had been taken more seriously.
Theresa’s mother, Ani-Nihoa, also shared her anguish on a GoFundMe page, expressing the family’s devastation and highlighting the difficulties they face in coping with the loss.
The heartbreaking incident highlights the urgent need for better support and protection for victims of domestic abuse, and reflects how the failure of systems to intervene can lead to irreversible and tragic consequences.