Hawaii Instagram Influencer Fatally Shot in Front of Daughter
Theresa Cachuela, a 33-year-old Hawaii Instagram influencer and beauty entrepreneur known as Bunny Bontiti, was fatally shot by her husband just two days after securing a restraining order against him, according to The Independent.
The incident unfolded inside a parking garage near Pearlridge Center in Honolulu on a fateful Friday morning, witnessed by the couple's little daughter.
Theresa, a mother of three and the owner of House of Glam Hawaii LLC in Waipahu had garnered around 20,000 followers on Instagram, where she often shared aspects of her heartfelt Christian faith.
Tragically, her life was cut short by her husband, Jason Cachuela, 44, who later took his own life near their residence in Waipahu.
The disturbing turn of events follows Theresa's recent legal actions to protect herself and her children from domestic abuse, as indicated in court records reviewed by The Independent.
In her petition, Theresa asserted, "I am doing this to protect myself, my children, and to hopefully get him the help he needs."
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A Trail of Threats and Trauma
According to Theresa Cachuela's petition filed on December 8, the disturbing events leading to the tragic outcome began when Jason allegedly threatened suicide in front of his wife and her children on December 6, NBC News reports.
He held a knife to his throat during this harrowing episode, leaving the Hawaii Instagram influencer traumatized.
Despite a subsequent apology, Jason's suicidal threats persisted. On December 7, he allegedly attempted to break into Theresa's garage, escalating the fear and prompting her to call 911.
Police conducted a wellness check as a response.
The distressing situation reached a peak on December 8 when the Hawaii Instagram influencer discovered her husband hiding under her car.
Another 911 call ensued, and Jason was served with the restraining order on December 19, with its official issuance on December 20.
Both Theresa and Jason appeared in court on the day the order was finalized, agreeing to a one-year order set to expire on December 20, 2024.
The terms prohibited Jason from contacting the Hawaii Instagram influencer unless related to a minor child, and he was mandated to surrender all firearms.
Regrettably, the protective measures proved insufficient, as Jason managed to possess a firearm during the fatal shooting on Friday.
Daughter Witnesses Tragic Incident
The brutality unfolded as the Hawaii Instagram influencer's youngest daughter, a child, witnessed her father pull the trigger, per the NY Post.
Jason fled the scene in a gray Mazda, eventually succumbing to an apparent suicide.
Law enforcement is treating the incident as a murder-suicide, emphasizing that it was not a random act, given the prior relationship between the victim and the assailant.
Lt. Deena Thoemmes stated, "We do know that there was a TRO that was served on him, which is why this case was classified as murder in the first degree," referring to the temporary restraining order.
When police served Jason with the TRO, they confiscated his five registered firearms, a crucial measure in light of the escalating threats and violence within the relationship.
"Her youngest daughter is the one that tragically saw everything," the Hawaii Instagram influencer's mother, Lucita Ani-Nihoa, said.
"She's traumatized. She has so much faith, this little girl. She just ... started praying," she added.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
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