Fatal fall claims The family of a Waikiki chef still grieving over his fatal stabbing two years ago was dealt another blow yesterday when his son died in a 200-foot fall during a fishing trip.
slain chef’s son
Warren Matsuda’s body was found
at the bottom of the cliff
at Makapuu LighthouseBy Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.comThe body of Warren Matsuda, 27, was recovered at the bottom of the cliff at Makapuu Lighthouse about 8 a.m.
Matsuda was the son of Thomas Matsuda, who was killed Dec. 1, 2000, at the Sheraton-Waikiki Hotel by a disgruntled subordinate.
"The family is just overwhelmed and devastated," said David Minkin, the family's attorney. "It's an unbelievable tragedy on top of the other tragedy. The family doesn't want to talk about it. They just want to stay together and stay strong."
It was Warren Matsuda who spoke on behalf of his mother, younger brother and sister in June when a state judge found Tam Van Huynh guilty of second-degree murder in the stabbing of his father.
Huynh faces a mandatory life prison term with the possibility of parole. His sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 14.
The younger Matsuda apparently went fishing with his friends yesterday morning but became separated from his companions, Minkin said. After not seeing him for about an hour, Matsuda's friends called firefighters for help about 6:30 a.m. His body was spotted about an hour later.
Matsuda's sister informed her brother's co-workers at Roy's Restaurant in Hawaii Kai of his death during their regular Friday morning meeting with management, said Mona Moore, the restaurant's bookkeeper.
"We're still in a state of shock," she said.
Matsuda was a head runner at the restaurant and had worked there Thursday night.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Monday to determine the cause of death.