Albert Lauro was reportedly found dead the day before authorities confirmed that his DNA matched that found on victim Dana Ireland’s body
Hawaii Police Department
Dana Ireland, Albert Lauro Jr.
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, Hawaii police said.
Hawaii Police Department Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz said at a press conference posted on social media that 57-year-old Albert Lauro Jr., whose DNA matched the DNA found on victim Dana Ireland’s body, 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 detectives identified possible suspects in Ireland’s murder — 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 could arrest Lauro.
“We then felt and continue to feel that the presence of Lauro’s DNA at the crime scene was not, in itself, sufficient evidence to prove that Lauro intentionally or knowingly caused his death,” Moszkowicz said at the press conference held on Monday. fair. , July 29.
Ireland, who was 23 at the time of his death, was visiting Hawaii from Virginia. She was found in the remote area of Puna, among some bushes, on Christmas Eve 1991. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died.
Three men were convicted of murder in Ireland 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 overturned 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 immediately arresting Lauro after collecting his DNA.
“It’s well known in law enforcement circles… if you have a guy’s DNA and you know he committed the crime, that if you don’t take him into custody, there’s a serious chance the person will run away, destroy evidence or kill themselves. ,” Scheck told the AP.
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Moszkowicz noted in his press conference that police planned to obtain additional information from Lauro to potentially link him to Ireland’s murder. He noted that police had already sat down and spoken to him before collecting the court-ordered DNA sample.
Moszkowicz said police “were able to use technology” to get into Lauro’s cellphone, which police hope will provide information. The police also intend to speak to Lauro’s friends and family.
“There is still much about this case that we do not know and our investigation into this case continues to move forward. Our search for the truth is not over,” he said.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to www.rainn.org.
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