HONOLULU (Island News) — Honolulu Police have revealed new information in the investigation of a murder that took place in Halawa.
Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes of the Criminal Investigation Division said the case was first treated as an unattended death but was reclassified as second-degree murder.
The incident occurred on Thursday, September 4, 2025, around 11:09 a.m. at a home on Ha’aheo Place in Aiea. Police were called for a welfare check after the property owner noticed the front door open and items scattered inside. Both tenants’ vehicles were parked, but no one answered the door.
Officers found 43-year-old Amy Bright unresponsive inside the home. She had multiple injuries to her face, neck, and the back of her head and was pronounced dead at 12:59 p.m.
Lieutenant Thoemmes stated the injuries were caused by both blunt force trauma and a bladed weapon. Among items collected were a black tomahawk blade and a fire extinguisher found near Amy.
On September 5, the Honolulu Medical Examiner confirmed Amy Bright died from multiple chop wounds to the head and neck, classifying her death as a homicide.
Detectives discovered that Amy’s husband, 38-year-old Frank Bright, had been arrested the night before on unrelated charges. At that time, officers noted what appeared to be blood on his jeans and a black glove he wore.
DNA testing later confirmed the blood on the blade, Frank’s jeans, and glove matched both Amy and Frank.
Frank Bright was arrested on September 6 for second-degree murder and charged formally on September 8. His bail was set at $1 million. He is scheduled to appear in court again on September 11.
