POLICE BEAT
'Ewa Beach woman's death 'suspicious'
By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer
Police are investigating the death of a 51-year-old woman who was found dead in her 'Ewa Beach home Friday afternoon.
Friends identified the woman as Karen Ertell, owner of the Koko Crater Coffee roasters in Kaka'ako.
After she failed to show up for work on Friday, police were called to Ertell's Akua Street home, where they found her body. There were signs of injuries and blood in the house, but no sign of a forced entry or a struggle, police said.
"We're investigating a suspicious, unattended death," said police Lt. Bill Kato. "We really don't know how the injuries were caused at this point."
At one point, police learned Ertell's car was missing. The blue Volvo sedan was found later Friday night at a nearby park, Criminal Investigation Division Lt. Ray Struss said. Police were questioning two youths arrested near the car, he said.
Friends described Ertell as an energetic and successful businesswoman, who took great pride in her work. The company was popular at the weekly Kapi'olani Community College farmers market on Saturday mornings.
An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday.
Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com.
