In-law says Big Island
By Rod Thompson
widow who was killed
led a quiet life
Star-BulletinHILO -- Itsuko Ito, 72, widowed for nearly 30 years, was a quiet, healthy woman who kept her door locked when she wasn't working in her garden, said her sister-in-law, Kinue Ito.
Police yesterday identified Itsuko Ito as the woman whose body was found Tuesday evening at her home in Keaau, south of Hilo. She had suffered several puncture wounds, and the case is classified as homicide, police said.
Police are also looking for Ito's missing car, a 1987 Toyota sedan with license HSV 205, they said.
Anyone who has seen the car is asked to call 911. Anyone who communicated with Ito in the last two weeks is asked to contact Detective Glenn Uehana at 961-2286.
Ito's body was found after a family member called police asking about her well-being, officers said.
"She was such a nice person. She was an average, good person," Kinue Ito said. "We're just in shock yet. How can it happen?"
Ito was friendly but reserved. She engaged in few activities outside her home except for attendance at the Buddhist Taishoji Soto Mission in Hilo, her sister-in-law said.
Most of her life she had been a housewife, but she also worked for several years for an orchid nursery. One of her main activities was working in her garden, her sister-in-law said.
On the few occasions when Kinue Ito visited her, she typically found the door locked and had to knock and call to get Ito to let her in. "She was always careful to lock her doors," her sister-in-law said.
Police Capt. James Day said there was no sign of forced entry into the home. The home is on Highway 130, one of the main streets through the town.
Police said there are no suspects.
