CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Police arrested 50-year-old Danny Tan Lam at 3028 Kaunaoa St. yesterday morning on homicide charges. His wife, Melody Lam, was found dead after her husband called the police.

Real estate agent held
in slaying of his wife

Police say the husband of
Melody Lam called 911 and
admitted to the brutal murder

Kapahulu neighbors recalled marital worries for a well-liked, 50-year-old real estate agent accused of killing his wife early yesterday while their children were at home.

Danny Tan Lam was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder after he called 911 about 5:52 a.m. from his home at 3028 Kaunaoa St. and admitted to killing his wife, police Lt. Danny Lopez said.

The 41-year-old victim, identified as Melody Lam and also a real estate agent, was pronounced dead at the scene, an Emergency Medical Services supervisor said.

Danny Lam had not been charged by last night.

Police released few details, but did say the couple's two grade-school children were at home and likely sleeping when Melody Lam was killed.

A police source said Lam suffered blunt trauma to her head.

Neighbors were shocked, saying they never heard the couple arguing.

Danny Lam, they said, would often be seen walking his children to and from nearby Waikiki Elementary School. He also spent many weekends working on his yard or on his home, they said.

"He was a happy-go-lucky guy," said Paul Johnson, a neighbor.

But he also said that Danny Lam had been worried the past year by his wife's talk of divorce.

"They had marital problems," agreed a second neighbor, who has lived in the community since he was born and identified himself as K. Young.

The Lams bought their home in the neighborhood -- near the Honolulu Zoo and Waikiki Shell -- in July 1995, according to city property records.

Yesterday afternoon, family members came to clear out items from the home, including photographs and children's toys. They asked for their privacy.

After the police left the home yesterday, there was little indication of what had happened earlier in the day. Playground equipment and bikes were in the yard. A straw wreath was on the door. Men's tennis shoes, women's high heels and children's flip-flops sat on a shoe rack on the front steps.

The only sign of a tragedy: Before they left the home, family members stuck a bundled bunch of burning incense into a planter near the front door.

"It's just a shock to me," said a woman who lives a few doors down and often saw the Lams together. "I'm just stunned. I just can't believe it."

The woman, who asked that her name not be used, also said that she didn't hear any unusual sounds coming from the home yesterday morning. The first indication she got that something was wrong was when she saw police cars and an ambulance at the home.

The Lams were both employed by Dower Realty in Kaimuki, and neighbors said Danny Lam also has concession stands in Waikiki. The owner of Dower Realty declined to comment yesterday.

On the company's Web site, an undated photo of the Lams shows a seemingly happy couple. The two are standing shoulder-to-shoulder, and both are smiling.