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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, January 4, 2010

Slain Hilo woman 'always cheerful'


Hawai'i Tribune-Herald

HILO — Co-workers and customers at the downtown KTA Super Store remembered Jolene Medeiros as a "very nice person."

The 24-year-old Medeiros died Saturday morning after being shot Wednesday evening in the head and right forearm with a small-caliber rifle.

The alleged shooter, Harry W.K. Batalona Jr. — Medeiros' estranged boy-friend — then turned the rifle on himself, police said. Batalona, known as "Harry Boy," died Wednesday night at Hilo Medical Center from a single gunshot wound to the head. The shooting, which happened shortly before 7 p.m., occurred in the driveway of Batalona's parents' home in Pi'ihonua.

"I've never seen her get upset at all over anything," said a co-worker, who wished to remain anonymous. "She was always nice."

Another customer who identified himself as "Steve" loaded his groceries into his small sedan and remembered the slain mother of two.

"She was always smiling; she was always cheerful and very helpful," he said. "She had a smile and a kind word for everyone. I know a lot of customers will miss her."

Medeiros had been granted a temporary restraining order against Batalona on Dec. 21. Batalona was scheduled to appear before Family Court Judge Lloyd Van De Car on Tuesday to respond to the TRO.

Medeiros had sought protection for herself and their two young children.

The couple had been together for eight years and, until recently, had lived together in a rented home in Kaumana.