A 33-year-old social media influencer, beauty entrepreneur, and mother of three was shot by her estranged husband in front of their daughter. 

The tragic incident, classified as a murder-suicide, unfolded in the parking lot of Pearlridge Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, on December 22, 2023.

Theresa Cachuela, the owner of House of Glam Hawaii LLC in Waipahu, was fatally shot in the head by Jason Cachuela, aged 44. The couple’s young daughter, estimated to be between six and eight years old, witnessed the shooting and identified her father as the assailant to the police.

Jason Cachuela fled the scene in a gray Mazda and was later found deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This violent act occurred just two weeks after Theresa had secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) against Jason, during which time the Honolulu Police Department had seized his five registered firearms.

Police Lieutenant Deena Thoemmes noted that the incident was the culmination of ongoing domestic issues between the couple. 

Lucita Ani-Nihoa, Theresa’s mother, spoke of the profound impact on the youngest daughter, who saw the entire event. She expressed her frustration with the justice system for not providing sufficient protection despite the evident dangers.

Ani-Nihoa recalled her daughter’s efforts to safeguard her children and seek help, citing a specific incident detailed in the TRO petition where Jason had threatened suicide and brandished a knife in Theresa’s presence. Despite attempts to assist him, his behavior worsened, leading Theresa to file for divorce.

Described as someone striving to escape an abusive relationship, Theresa had communicated the abuse and stalking she experienced from Jason to her family, which led to the restraining order. 

A GoFundMe page has been established by the family to help with funeral expenses.