A man who was beaten and found unconscious on a sidewalk in Makakilo four days ago passed away in the hospital over the weekend.
Honolulu police opened a murder case, and arrested a suspect this afternoon.
We spoke with the victim’s sister tonight. She says her brother and the suspect had been friends since they were kids, and that’s why this is so hard to accept.
Albert Meyer was looking forward to celebrating his son Azariah’s 4th birthday.
"I remember on Wednesday before going into work, our last conversation was what are we doing for my son, when can you take me to shop for him, when are we going to get his gifts. And I told him I’m off Friday, we can go on Friday. Unfortunately, he never made it to Friday," said Leilani Elmy, Albert’s sister.
Thursday night, around 8:45, police say Albert was found unconscious, on this sidewalk in Makakilo, up the hill from where he lived.
He was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Leilani says tests later revealed her brother was brain dead..
"So the family gathered in hopes that he would hear our last goodbyes to let him know how much he meant, that no matter in life, good or bad, that he was loved. And we will see him again one day," said Elmy.
On Saturday, Albert, a 2001 Campbell grad, was pronounced dead. He was 29.
"We’re not too sure as far as the full story because they’re still investigating it, but we do know he had a head injury and fractures," said Elmy.
According to witnesses, Thursday night, Albert was outside a friend’s house, when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up, and when he went to talk to the people inside the vehicle, one of them punched him.
Monday afternoon, police arrested a 27 year old man on Lahaina Street in Makaha on suspicion of murder.
"It’s hard to be happy in a moment of sadness but at least we have relief to know that the person that did it is now not able to do it to any other family or to any other person," said Elmy.
As much as she loved her brother, Leilani admits Albert wasn’t perfect. Just last week, he was in court for a theft and auto break-in case.
"He was given five years probation so he was on a mission to find a job and to get back onto the right path," said Elmy.
But now, he’ll never get that chance.
Albert Meyer leaves behind two sons, his mother, stepfather, grandmother, two brothers and his sister Leilani.
Meanwhile, the suspect remains at HPD’s main station awaiting charges.
See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories
