Galas sentenced Justice At Last for Sandy G? Though this meant Darren would get a reduced sentence, the Mendoncas legal counsel advised them that given the lack of evidence, it would be better if the case avoided trial. Obituaries for March 26. Dateline Episode Trailer: The Other Side of Paradise. This is what she was living under, your honor. As much as I try to avoid thinking about it, the big brother in me wont let me off the hook.. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, Father wont give up hunt for daughters killer Too much Shibai on Kauai. Congratulations Mr. Mendonca you made a promise at her grave and you did it. . Larry and Toshie Mendonca: Where Are Sandra Galas' Parents Now? All I can say. This included minor things, such as times when the victim was a little late picking up her sons from their fathers home. to the family or plant a tree Saw Dateline and was disgusted by how this guy got to raise his children after he strangled their mother. During that time, Sandra's murder led her father, Larry Mendonca, to begin working to help young women better protect themselves. Galas was strangled to death in her car at her Eleele home in 2006, a crime that shocked the island and stood unsolved for several years before estranged husband Darren Galas was convicted in 2018. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! She was a loving mother. To no end. At that time Mendonca took the news crew to the grave of his daughter . Wade is survived by his children, Cameron Wade McClendon of Chattahoochee, FL, Hunter McClendon and wife, Natasha of Albany, GA, Zane Ares McClendon of Altha, Metallica McClendon and Galadreil McClendon both of Edison, GA, Krislyn McClendon of Altha; andhis mother, Sarah Jane McClendon. Its bull. Lawrence "Larry" Tsuneji Yamamoto, 79 of Mililani, Hawaii, passed away on April 10, 2021. Vehicle fares for May 1 to Sept. 23 are available online at wsdot.wa.gov . The pain is still there. A life sentence, without Sandy.. In an interview with The Garden Island newspaper after the sentencing, Larry Mendonca said he was satisfied and grateful that the graveyard promise he made to his daughter to seek justice for her had been fulfilled, though hes not sure how it will help his family move on. Who Are Larry and Toshie Mendonca? Everybody is a winner, said Renae Hamilton-Cambeilh, the YWCA of Kauai executive director. The key piece of evidence arrived in the form of a calendar Darren kept, including meticulous notes on every time Sandra upset him, including being late picking up the boys. WA ferry fares increase for peak season | The Seattle Times The case went cold until 2012, when investigators were able to pin him to the crime with the use of new forensic techniques. Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Mendonca Family Obituaries | Mendonca Last Name Obits - Legacy.com Murder charge reduced The way they reacted and what they do is ridiculous, he said. Kenji Nishiie, 84, of Kapolei, a retired Global Associates logistician, died Sunday at home. The Mendoncas world shattered on January 25, 2006, when Ryan found Sandra dead in her garage. Memorialization will be by cremation with Marianna Chapel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Galas sentenced to 10-year open prison term May 1, 2023 at 9:06 am. While Darren made an entry almost daily, the police quickly noticed no mention of January 25, 2006. DATELINE FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Other Side of Paradise Tarry Low gets to skip trial to go to Vegas- now the admitted killer of Sandy G gets a few extra months of freedom- why? Its the true crime story of Sandra Galas and her fathers quest for cold case justice. (LogOut/ He was predeceased by : his parents, Frank Mendonca and Evelyn Mendonca; and his brothers, Frank Mendonca Jr. and Ernie Mendonca. Larry "Wade" McClendon, age 47, of Round Lake, Fl., passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022 at his residence. Their decision to coddle a murderer is not justice. Only on this island! Obituary Headlines, View current celebrity deaths on Legacy.com From Dec. 4, 2020 onward, our daily celebrity news obituaries can be found at Legacy.com. Judge Kathleen Watanabe accepted his plea and he was found guilty. Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe told Galas the court accepted his change of plea in the reduced charge of assault in the first degree from guilty to no contest and found him guilty of assault in the first degree. Bethany Freudenthal / The Garden Island Larry Mendonca, father of Sandra Galas, receives a hug from a friend after court on Monday. Galas sentenced to 10-year open prison term Lawrence Yamamoto - Honolulu, Hawaii , Mililani Memorial Park Its not vengeance, its not revenge, its balancing the scales of justice, he said. For years, Sandras estranged husband Darren Galas was the prime suspect. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Obituary. In January 2006, Hawaii residents Larry and Toshie Mendonca faced the worst nightmare of their lives. It was climbing a mountain to try to win this case if it went to trial, he said. Murder charge reduced - The Garden Island Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. November 27, 1944 - It usually comes down to our children being used against us. In courtroom footage featured on In Ice Cold Blood, a member of Sandra's family read a powerful victim impact statement on behalf ofher father, who died of a heart attack before the case was closed. Keith Morrison Previews: The Other Side of Paradise DATELINE FRIDAY SNEAK PEEK: The Other Side of Paradise your email below for our complimentary daily grief messages. I guess it really helps to know somebody straight up braddah braddah kine! He said the case dragged on for years until Darren Galas, a man who had never been convicted of anything, was offered the plea of no contest to an assault charge. In 2012, Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry set a new investigator on the case. 3137 Kuhio Hwy., Lihue, HI 96766 Telephone: (808) 245-3681, Military identifies Oahu remains as World War II aviator, Hawaii has 5 other active volcanoes in addition to Kilauea, Tough opening quarter for home sales on Kauai, Hawaii Legislature slashes nearly all funding for proposed clean elections program, Waimea top seed in state softball tourney. In January 2018, twelve years after the murder, Darren Galas entered a no contest plea in court for a charge of first degree assault, a class B felony. Since Sandra had failed to turn up to pick up the boys, it was evident that Darren should have detailed it in the calendar. Telling his wife of their daughters death was one of the most difficult things Larry Mendonca said he has ever had to do. The law needs to change from reasonable doubt to common sense! Estranged husband pleads no contest in connection with wifes 2006 death We can always count on you to print misinformation. Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more! Call . No one can outrun the wrath of God.. As women, we are told to leave our abusers, take the children, report them, file restraining order. Kauai man sentenced for wifes death It is one thing to do a horrible thing, another to lie and not do the time for the crime. Dateline NBC to feature Kauai murder case To send flowers I think was only because he wanted to get the pastors to write letters for him. He found letters exchanged between Sandra and her divorce attorney, wherein she expressed fear of Darren, as he was jealous of her and Ryans relationship. He was born in American Samoa. Dateline first came upon the story of Larry Mendonca and his daughter while on another Dateline assignment back in 2009. All rights reserved. Summarizing the events leading up to the sentencing, Green told the court the couple had been separated, sharing custody of their children and at times continued an intimate relationship. Yes, its my birthday, May said. I told the prosecutors and the police I would be a thorn in their side, (until the case was solved and prosecuted).. Austin and Braden lost someone that can never be replaced.. The Kauai PA office recovered DNA but he got off because Kauai As Why. The Never Forget Sandy G golf tournament has grown to become a major fundraising event benefiting the YWCA of Kauai, and the torch bearer of the YWCA of Kauai campaign to eliminate domestic violence, everywhere. Grand jury indicts Kauai man in cold case murder of wife Kauai man arrested in 2006 cold case murder This has gone on quite a bit of time, and I know the Galas family would like to have this resolved as soon as possible, Winn said, arguing the family would all be available at the end of April because they had already planned on being at the trial. Had Prosecutor Kollar done his job and pursued the case against Darren, he would be charged with murder. Larry retired after a few years, and the family moved to Kauai, Hawaii, where they created an idyllic life on a sprawling ranch in Anahola. Husband pleads no contest to wifes murder on Kauai Keith Morrison follows a cold case for nearly 10 years, as a father in Hawaii fights to bring his daughter's killer to justice despite one setback after another. Visitation: 10:00am; Services: 11:00am on Saturday, May 13, 2023 . Church going man, huh? This wasnt justice this was I GOT AWAY WITH MURDER I am going to let everyone know about this case and we will boycott Kauai! -KHON2 News (2018), Kauai man Darren Galas has been sentenced in connection with his wifes 2006 murder. Raymond Kealohaokalani Lui Jr. Larry David Mendonca Obituary (1944 - 2021) | Manteca, California I truly, truly hope that the families will have some amount of closure and will focus on the positive memories of Sandra Mendonca Galas, as well as the future of the welfare of the minor children, Watanabe said as she rendered the sentence. All rights reserved. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, Click on a listing to enter a loved one's online memorial. Old Kauai case has new witnesses, interviews But thats not the most difficult thing hes had to deal with in his sisters death. Darren Galas, 40 of Kalaheo was arrested for the 2006 murder of his estranged wife, Sandra Galas. It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Larry David Mendonca of Manteca, California, born in Hughson, California, who passed away on January 15, 2021, at the age of 76, leaving to mourn family and friends. Everett Arthur Crumb Jr., 80, of Hilo died March 4 at home. The peak-season surcharge will continue through September, covering the busiest months of the year for ferry travel. Its just words, Mendonca said. Hawaii Obituaries | Honolulu Star-Advertiser Sections; Print Replica; Search . Police make cold case arrest in 2006 murder of Kauai woman Wade was a contractor by trade with a . Lawrence "Larry" Tsuneji Yamamoto Obituary -Dateline NBC. Published On April 30th, 2023 80, of Kapolei, died in Kahuku on April 9, 2023. PLEASE Kauai. Police make arrest in cold case murder investigation - Hawaii Reporter A judge cannot send someone to prison unless they are proved guilty. He was born on June 14, 1975 to Donald Wayne Beasley and Sarah Jane McClendon. saw the dateline episode too. LIHUE Darren Galas, 46, was sentenced Wednesday by Fifth Circuit Court Judge Kathleen Watanabe to 10 years in prison on an assault one charge, a class B felony, related to the 2006 strangulation death of his estranged wife, Sandra Galas. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. Download the app and binge on the last couple years of programming. The maximum sentence Galas can receive for the plea is 10 years in prison and up to a $25,000 fine. These online obituaries are meant to be a permanent place for the Hawaii community to honor and . Wade was a contractor by trade with a specialty in flooring. The case went cold until 2008, when advances in forensic technology yielded a match for Darren's DNA on the clothes Sandra was wearing when she waskilled. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Larry David Mendonca to pay them a last tribute. Lawrence "Larry" Mendonca was of Portuguese origins and served in the Air Force for 22 years, while his wife, Toshie, was Japanese. in memory of Larry Wade McClendon, please visit our floral store. They deserve to lose their jobs since they showed they cannot be trusted to protect the integrity of the criminal justice system and the citizens they are bound to serve. -KITV (2012), The body of Sandra Galas was found in her garage in Eleele on Jan. 25, 2006. Its a great addition for any San Francisco fan!. An insightful Maybe we need some stronger people in charge. Today's Paper Their son, Lawrence Jr., visits them frequently from Texas. Your email address will not be published. We lost a dear person, so whatever happened it doesnt bring it back, it doesnt make it OK. People hide it, Kollar said. Obituaries Archives - Hawaii Tribune-Herald discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. Every day had an entry of some sort, except for the day of the murder, when Sandra obviously didn't show. In the years following Sandra's murder, her family had already begun healing by helping others, however, and that work continues today. MENDON -- Larry D. Hamilton, age 88, of Mendon, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing at Shane Hill, Rockford. Its sad when Larry had to work diligently to investigate his daughters murder. The case went unsolved for years and if not for the efforts of her father Larry, the case may never have been solved. The journey ahead was quite draining, as he and Toshie had to wait several years before the killer was held accountable. SIGN UP TO BE UPDATED ON RECENT OBITUARIES, 500 Ala Moana Boulevard. It wasnt until 2012,investigators were able to pin Darren to the crime with the use of new forensic techniques, specifically touch DNA from evidence at the scene of the crime was a match to Darren Galas. Respected people throughout the community wrote letters on behalf of Darren Galas, Green said, including local pastors, doctors and the couples two sons. Larry Hamilton Obituary (2022) - Mendon, OH - The Lima News Kauai man arrested in 2006 cold case murder You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Larry Wade McClendon, 2023 Marianna Chapel Funeral Home. One of the most painful things that I must deal with is wondering just how much my sister suffered the day she was killed, he said. Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Nanakuli Door of Faith Church, 89-142 Haleakala Ave. The case against Darren Galas was prosecuted five years ago, Mendonca said, but the defense has been delaying since then. We got life.. No justice on Kauai for its citizen victims none. Darren Galas, 46, was originally charged with one count of murder in the second degree. All you guys care about is numbers, Mendonca yelled. Basketball legend Rivers, longtime Globetrotter, dies at 73 Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. Galas killed his wife and admitted to to several people yet gets a plea deal!?!! Hawaii man sentenced in connection to wifes 2006 death She feared that no matter what, Darren Galas would always be harassing her. Larry R. Menden, age 70, of Winona, passed away at his home, Thursday, November 3, after battling cancer for over two years. For Sandras big brother, Lawrence Mendonca Jr., one of the most difficult realizations about his sisters death is realizing that the many good memories he has of her are smudged with sadness. He really is given the consideration of going to his childs graduation? Unfortunately, his old age and deteriorating health took a toll on him, and he suffered a heart attack in February 2017 aged 75. No trial or law suit should take longer than 1 year from beginning to end. Very disappointed in what passes as justice here on Kauai. Sounds like Galas has used those years to fool everyone, including Sandys own children, into believing that he is not a monster. Keith Morrison Previews: The Other Side of Paradise For years, Sandra's estranged husband Darren Galas was the . Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. Golfers, family remember 'Sandy G' - The Garden Island Norwalk - Tyler Michael Mendonca, age 28, of Norwalk, passed away Saturday July 24, 2021 in Norwalk. October 3, 2022 (84 years old) View obituary. Darren Galas, 40 of Kalaheo was arrested for the 2006 murder of his estranged wife, Sandra Galas. Soon,Shinjowas arrested by federal authorities on unrelated charges: He was involved in a meth trafficking operation. Obituary for Larry R. Menden | Obituaries | swnewsmedia.com Below is a list of Hawaii obituaries. Air Force retiree Larry Mendonca's daughter Sandra was found strangled to death in her car in the garage of her home on January 25, 2006 in 'Ele'ele, Hawaii. Obituaries for February 20 Your email address will not be published. Sensing he might be lying, the detectives searched his home for evidence but had to let him go when they were left empty-handed. Having lost his young son, Chief Perry empathized with the Mendoncas and decided to take over the investigation. Obituary Larry Mendonca November 27, 1944 - January 15, 2021 Manteca, California - Larry David Mendonca, a resident of Manteca, passed away in Stockton, CA, on Friday, January 15, 2021.. Dateline NBC to feature Kauai murder case Arrest made in cold case murder of Sandra Galas God will be the ultimate judge. All Rights Reserved. Moreover, Larry and Toshie wished to get custody of their grandsons and raise them, but it was eventually granted to Darren. In January of this year, 12 years after the murder, Galasentered a no contest plea in courtto a charge of first degreeassault a class B felony. Obituary of Tyler Michael Mendonca - Cornell Memorial Scoop: Coming Up on DATELINE on NBC Today, June 15, 2018 79, of Hilo, Hawaii, died in Hilo on April 3, 2023. He was the husband of the late Maria Jose (Vieira) Mendonca. -KHON2 News (2018), Related Links: Even woman stalk their husbands, Dont tell me you men never did that ?!? Reading from emails sent to her divorce attorney between 2005 and up to January 2006, Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar described a woman who was living in fear of her husband Darren Galas. He was not active, infact sat all the way in the back and was awkward, acted shady. Allow Notifications Hide this Message Unfortunately, the Galas family fell apart in 2005 when Sandra discovered Darrens infidelity and separated from him. Right?! Naturally, Larry was devasted at losing his beloved daughter but promised to seek justice for her. Find Larry Mendonca obituaries and memorials at Legacy.com The case remained open until a grand jury returned an indictment in October 2012. Lawrence Mendonca, Galas father and a strong supporter of the YWCA of Kauai, said a final push on the morning of the tournament moved the field to the tournaments maximum 30 teams (consisting of four persons each) playing a modified scramble format with no post-event party because of the COVID-19 pandemic. send us an email. Assault!!! Copyright 2023 TheGardenIsland.com. On June 15, 2018, Dateline premiered The Other Side of Paradise on NBC. A post shared by Lawrence Mendonca Jr. (@lawrencem808). Police make arrest in cold case murder investigation He enjoyed time with those who love him, going fishing, playing basketball, riding down dirt roads, playing chess, and listening to music. Sandra Galas' Father Bonded With Kauai Police Chief Over Investigation. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. September 2, 2022 (71 years old) View obituary. Mendonca said he no longer wants to talk to prosecutors. What a complete slap in the face for Sandys family. James Robert Simpson. We were separated but at times we were still intimate. He was then arrested, charged and held on $1 millionbail. I am disgusted in the Kauai system, my family was set to vacation there next year.