Woman's body found off Kalapana

[Britts MOM]

Manaolo everyone for your comments and caring. We know that the letter and even the signs that went up around town last week prove nothing. They are certainly interesting, provocative, and worth questioning. I would imagine hanging posters like that could anger or provoke someone, so it seems like a risky thing for someone to do. Whoever hung the posters felt compelled to do so. And, no bones about it, the letter is an alarming read. I agree that most people would not speak or write in such an exaggerated pidgin form, but that doesn’t mean it is fake. I have received private messages and such over the past few months from people who do seem to mirror that style when they write me. All kinds of people…male, female. So, I don’t know. Is the letter a false attempt to implicate innocent people or is it relating the truth? But someone took the time to write the letter and send it to Tiffany Edwards Hunt. Whoever wrote the letter wanted it published for all to see, or why else send it to Tiffany at the Big Island Chronicle? Someone implicated people in the letter—called out specific names. Why? That is the question. Could be the writer doesn’t like these people and wants to call them out and get them in trouble. Or maybe the person knows what really happened and who did it and wants everyone to know. The letter is important and so Tiffany did the right thing and gave it to the police. She also alerted our family about the letter. Many people have attested both to me privately and publicly that they have tried to give information to the police—tips, leads, etc., and either their tips and leads have been dismissed as bogus or they have not heard back from the police or even got through to the police to provide information. Leads came in as early as days after the murder that were dismissed as bogus. One person told me about waiting at the Hilo police department for two hours to provide info and then finally left after no one came to take the information. So perhaps the writer of the letter and the posters of the signs feel going to the police is useless. I honestly don’t know. Maybe they already tried to provide their information and it was discounted. The only reason I don’t completely discount the letter is because we have heard very similar information from many other people for a long time now. Some of the things we have heard from reliable and respected sources are downright chilling. We are, however, still trusting of the police to solve this case. They have one person they have publically called a suspect. As for other suspects, those names have not been made public. We are not afraid to visit the island. We are not afraid of the people of Hawaii or anyone in particular. But we are concerned about a few things. Our concern has nothing to do with the wonderful people on the island. The people of Hawaii have been supportive and kind and they do seem to really care about justice for Brittany and justice in their communities. Our reason for not returning this November has to do with something else we have been told over and over again. It is something that we think is a legitimate concern. And it's not about any one person in particular!!! Until we can either validate these concerns or debunk them, we are waiting to return. Most likely we should know more soon and my sister and I plan to go to the Big Island in the next few months.

Peace and Love! Julie