HONOLULU — An Oahu grand jury indicted 44-year-old Gibran Copeland on Tuesday for the murder of 50-year-old Christina Baca, who was found in a Manoa storm drain last month. 

Copeland, who was indicted for murder in the second degree, allegedly shot Baca multiple times to her head, torso and limbs, according to the Prosecuting Attorney’s office.  

The Honolulu Police Department previously said Baca’s decomposing body was found on Sept. 13 in a storm drain on the east side of the University of Hawaii at Manoa faculty housing, near the Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies.  

Copeland and Baca were in an intimate relationship and there were previously reported incidents of domestic violence between them. HPD said Copeland was “described as being obsessed with Christina (Baca).”

HPD said surveillance footage showed Baca and Copeland heading towards the storm drain together on Sept. 8 at 11:18 p.m. The footage showed Copeland leaving the Hawaiian Studies building alone on Sept. 9 at 2:35 a.m. 

HPD also said DNA tests conducted on several items of evidence, including Baca’s fingernails, all matched Copeland. 

“This tragic case is a reminder of the need to address domestic violence in our community,” said Prosecuting Attorney Steve Alm in a statement. “These acts of violence have no place in Hawaii and we will do everything to secure a conviction in this case.” 

Murder in the second degree carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Copeland is also subject to extended sentencing as a multiple offender which would carry a sentence of life without parole. 

Copeland is being held without bail at the Oahu Community Correctional Center. 

The Prosecuting Attorney’s office also urged people impacted by domestic violence to call the Domestic Violence Action Center at 808-531-3771 or DVAC toll-free help line at 800-690-6200.