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Suspect arrested in strangling death


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POSTED: Sunday, September 06, 2009

Steven Rodrigues is grateful police have arrested a suspect in connection with the strangling death of his 18-year-old daughter, who was found naked in a Kalihi alley almost two weeks ago, but still has too many questions to rest.

“;What was the motive for this to happen?”; Rodrigues asked yesterday. “;I want to know.”;

Police arrested Corbit K. Ahn, 29, at his Makiki home at about 11 p.m. Friday, booking him on suspicion of second-degree murder. Ahn had not been charged as of last night.

Iris Rodrigues-Kaikana, of Kalihi, was last seen alive by friends about 10 p.m. Aug. 23, the night before her body was found behind Kamehameha Homes in Kalihi. Authorities said she had been strangled.

Rodrigues-Kaikana's family made a public plea for help and held a march around the state Capitol last week to find her killer.

The woman's murder also prompted the family and others to offer rewards for information about the case, from $500 by state Rep. John Mizuno to $10,000 by reality TV star and bounty hunter Duane “;Dog”; Chapman.

;[Preview]  MMA Fighter Arrested In Kalihi Murder Mystery
 

Honolulu Police have arrested Mixed Martial Arts fighter Corbit Ahn in connection with the death of a Kalihi teenager.

Watch ]

 

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“;I thank the community and the police for doing such a great job,”; Rodrigues said.

But closure hasn't come yet.

“;I want to know everything”; about why someone would kill a “;little angel,”; he said.

“;I can't sleep. 'Why Iris?' I keep asking myself. 'Why Iris?' I don't understand.”;

Rodrigues said he never heard Ahn's name before, and it was unclear what connection, if any, Ahn may have had with the teen.

Ahn is an amateur kickboxer who has appeared in local fights, according to a spokesman for MMAHawaii.com, a media source for mixed martial arts.

The spokesman said Ahn is not a professional fighter on the mixed martial arts circuit and apparently fought without a sponsor.

“;We hardly know this guy,”; he said.

According to criminal records, Ahn has four convictions, including two felonies for breaking into a car and a second-degree assault.

In April 2007, Ahn was sentenced to one year in prison and five years of probation for second-degree assault in a case that included the medical records of his wife.

Rodrigues said he hopes those responsible will be punished.

“;As a father, knowing my daughter was out there completely nude and all beat up, I want the same thing to happen to him,”; he said. “;He deserves it.”;

Community members have continued to support the family, including some Rodrigues doesn't know who have stopped by to offer condolences.

Since the murder, Rodrigues has taken walks and drives to clear his mind.

“;When the funeral comes up, that's when it'll probably take a big toll,”; he said.

Services for Rodrigues-Kaikana will be 12:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Borthwick Mortuary.