Hawaii Influencer Theresa Cachuela Fatally Shot by Husband After Restraining Order Granted
In a tragic turn of events, Instagram influencer Theresa Cachuela, known as “Bunny Bontiti” to her 20,000 followers, was fatally shot by her husband, Jason Cachuela, near Pearlridge Center in Waimalu, near Honolulu, Hawaii. The incident occurred just two days after a judge had granted her a restraining order against him, underscoring the grim realities of domestic violence.
Honolulu police found the 33-year-old mother of three with gunshot wounds in a parking lot near the mall on Friday morning. She was pronounced dead at the scene, while her 8-year-old daughter, who witnessed the shooting, survived unharmed. Jason Cachuela, 44, fled the scene and was later found dead in an apparent suicide behind a residence in Waipahu, about five miles from the mall.
The couple had been together for nearly 11 years, and court documents reveal a harrowing history of threats and abuse. In her petition for the restraining order, Theresa described her husband's suicidal threats and attempts to intimidate her, including an incident where he held a knife to his throat. Despite the restraining order being granted on December 20, 2023, Jason was still able to access a firearm, leading to this fatal outcome.
The case, now classified as first-degree murder, highlights the complexities and dangers surrounding domestic violence situations, even when legal measures are in place. Theresa's mother, Lucita Ani-Nihoa, shared her daughter’s struggles with abuse and her efforts to seek help from domestic violence support agencies. “She wanted to leave him but he wasn’t accepting it," Ani-Nihoa said. “He tried to control with, with everything … where she would go, what she would do.”
In the wake of this tragedy, Theresa Cachuela's family has set up an online fundraiser to cover funeral costs and support her children. Her death serves as a stark reminder of the lethal potential of domestic violence and the need for more effective protective measures for victims.