Gunshot victim left to bleed in forest

The woman told police that she was abducted from her home by three people about a week ago

A 23-year-old Big Island woman was shot several times about a week ago and apparently left to die in a forest in Kau on the Big Island, according to Hawaii County police.

The woman was found Friday and taken to Kona Community Hospital in critical condition but has since improved and is listed as serious.

The woman, whose name was not released, told police that she was abducted from her home in Kurtistown, in the Puna District, by three people about a week ago. Police said she was beaten and taken to a remote area in Waiohinu, near Naalehu in Kau, where she was shot several times.

The woman was disoriented and unsure of her location, and stayed in the area, police said.

On Friday, County Department of Water Supply employees found her walking on an unimproved jeep trail in Waiohinu.

The employees drove the woman to a rescue staging area. A Hawaii Fire Department helicopter flew her to Kona Community Hospital.

Police were looking for a suspect, who they say the victim knows, but have ruled out domestic violence. Police have classified the case as an attempted murder.