Hawaii Man Submitted DNA Sample that Linked Him to Woman's 1991 Murder, Then He Died by Suicide

Albert Lauro was reportedly found dead a day before authorities confirmed his DNA matched that found on the body of victim Dana Ireland

A man who was identified as a suspect in a 1991 sexual assault and murder on Hawaii’s Big Island died by suicide shortly after authorities received a DNA sample from him, police in Hawaii said.

Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said in a press conference posted on social media that 57-year-old Albert Lauro Jr., whose DNA matched DNA found on the body of victim Dana Ireland, died by suicide on Tuesday, July 23.

Lauro was reportedly found dead a day before authorities confirmed the DNA match, according to Associated Press.

Moszkowicz said that detectives narrowed down potential suspects for Ireland’s killing — which included Lauro — and obtained a DNA sample from him from a discarded utensil he used.

Moszkowicz said that despite the DNA match, authorities were not at the point where they felt they could arrest Lauro.

“We felt then and we continued to feel that the presence of Lauro’s DNA at the crime scene was, in and of itself, not sufficient evidence to prove that Lauro intentionally or knowingly caused her death,” Moszkowicz said in the press conference held on Monday, July 29.

Ireland, who was 23 years old at the time of her death, had been visiting Hawaii from Virginia. She was found in the remote area of Puna in some bushes on Christmas Eve, 1991. She was taken to a local hospital where she died.

Three men were convicted of Ireland’s murder in 2000, according to local news station Hawaii News Now. One died in prison while the other two — brothers Albert “Ian” Schweitzer and Shawn  Schweitzer — had their sentences vacated last year, Hawaii News Now and KHON2 News reported.

Barry Scheck, co-founder of the Innocence Project, which represented the Schweitzers, criticized police for not arresting Lauro immediately after taking his DNA.

“It’s well known in law enforcement circles … if you have DNA on a guy and you know he committed the crime, that if you do not bring him into custody, there is a serious chance that the person will flee, destroy evidence or kill themself,” Scheck told AP.

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Moszkowicz noted in his press conference that police had planned to get additional information from Lauro to potentially tie him to Ireland’s murder. He noted that police had already sat down and talked with him before collecting the court ordered DNA sample.

Moszkowicz said that police “were able to use technology” to get into Lauro’s cell phone, which police hope will yield information. Police also plan to speak with Lauro's friends and family members.

“There is still a lot about this case that we do not know and our investigation into this case continues to push forward. Our search for the truth is not over,” he said.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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