Editor’s note: This story includes sensitive information about homicide and suicide. 

HONOLULU — Paris Oda, who allegedly stabbed his wife and three children to death at their Manoa family home on Sunday, had previously discussed killing his family because of financial troubles. 

Honolulu Police Department Lt. Deena Thoemmes shared this information and more about the department’s investigation at a Friday afternoon news conference. 

Through the investigation, police learned that “in the latter part of 2023, Paris Oda made it known he was struggling financially,” said Thoemmes. “He was behind on car payments, tuition and loan payments. He shared with a relative that it was his responsibility to fix it. Paris shared his concerns with his wife. They made some changes, but the financial problems continue.”

In January, Paris Oda worked with a real estate agency to sell a second property in Aiea. The next month, he let his wife know he had not paid taxes for years. He did not have enough patients at his chiropractor business. He started to work as an Uber driver. 

“In the middle of February, Paris texted his wife that they needed to plan to do it,” said Thoemmes, who elaborated that the couple had previously discussed taking their lives and their children’s lives. 

“He said he could not take it anymore, and he told her that their children needed to come with them because no one could take better care of them than he could,” Thoemmes said about the text message conversation. “Naoko tried to be optimistic and encouraging with Paris. She suggested that they move to Japan with her parents, but Paris stated that he was done and too tired. Paris started to withdraw and became quiet and distant.” 

Paris Oda’s financial concerns increased in March as the tax season approached. He talked with a realtor about selling their primary residence in Manoa. 

“He told relatives that he would rather die before going to jail for unpaid taxes. At that time, he also said that he would kill his family and burn the house down,” said Thoemmes. 

Around the same time, Paris Oda messaged someone requesting a gun, but that person never replied. 

On Sunday, HPD patrol officers went to the Oda’s residence at 3622 Waaloa Place following a 911 call at 8:34 a.m., when the caller reported screaming in the area. However, the officers could not find the caller, according to Thoemmes. The officers approached the residence and knocked, but did not receive an answer. They did not hear anyone screaming. An officer spoke with a nearby resident, who said they did not hear any screaming. 

The officer then requested the 911 caller be called back, but because the caller had used an international phone number, Thoemmes said the communications officer could not call back. HPD is currently working to upgrade their system to call back international numbers. 

After checking the area around the home, the officers documented their findings and left the home shortly before 9 a.m. 

At 9:15 a.m., the 911 caller called again. An officer returned to the Manoa residence and found the 911 caller standing in front of the home. The 911 caller identified herself as a tenant of the Oda’s Manoa residence and, according to officers, she was visibly shaken. 

The tenant said she was in her room when she heard screaming between 2 and 2:30 a.m. She locked herself in her room as she heard screaming just outside her door. She said that she did not meet with the first officer who arrived on the scene because she was afraid to come out of her room because of blood seeping under her bedroom door. She climbed out of her window and met with officers after she called the second time. 

The responding officers immediately checked the front door, which was locked, according to Thoemmes. The officer could see an unresponsive person through the window. They called out, but did not receive an answer. Officers entered through the back door and found the dead suspect, 46-year-old Paris Oda, with stab wounds, laying in blood in the hallway. 

The officers then searched every room of the house, where they found 48-year-old Naoko Oda, 17-year-old Sakurako Oda, 12-year-old Orion Oda, and 10-year-old Nana Oda, who had all been stabbed to death. Thoemmes said the four victims had defensive wounds on their hands and wrists. 

“It is very probable that the life-threatening injuries that they sustained killed them within a few hours of the incident,” said Thoemmes. Investigators believe the stabbing occurred around 2 or 2:30 a.m., according to information provided by the tenant.  

Thoemmes said the investigation is ongoing. 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.