Wife was beaten, The wife of a Pearl Harbor sailor was beaten to death with a blunt instrument and her mother was stabbed repeatedly, the city medical examiner's office reported today.
mother-in-law stabbed,
autopsies say
A Pearl Harbor sailor is held
at Ford Island pending charges
in the double slayingsBy Gregg K. Kakesako
gkakesako@starbulletin.comAutopsies revealed that Zaleha DeArmond, 31, was struck fatally on her head. She died of several head injuries inflicted by a blunt instrument, the office reported.
Her mother, Saniah Binte Abdul Ghani, believed to be in her mid-70s, was stabbed in her chest and stomach, the office reported.
Both women, whose bodies were discovered Monday, were from Singapore, although Zaleha DeArmond was a naturalized U.S. citizen.
Naval investigators have recovered the suspected murder weapons but no details were released.
Petty Officer 2nd Class David DeArmond, arrested in the double homicide, continued to be held at the Ford Island brig this morning. No charges have been filed.
DeArmond, 32 was assigned to the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard as a hull technician.
The couple's three children -- two boys, ages 5 and 2, and a 3-year-old girl -- were turned over to state Child Protective Services.
DeArmond, a 13-year veteran, could face the death penalty if convicted since certain murders are considered a capital crime under military law. He is expected to be tried in a military court martial.
The women's bodies were discovered on the second floor of the couple's home in Leal Place in the Hokulani naval housing complex after the petty officer turned himself into authorities.