Influencer Shot Dead By Husband In Front Of Daughter, He Then Dies By Suicide
An Instagram influencer from Hawaii was killed in front of her young daughter last week in what cops reportedly believe to be a murder-suicide.
On Friday, Theresa Cachuela, 33, was fatally shot by her estranged husband, Jason Cachuela, in a parking lot near a shopping center in Honolulu, Hawaii, as she and her 11-year-old daughter were on an outing together, Hawaii News Now and Island News reported, citing police.
Emergency medical services said Theresa, who went by the name Bunny Bontiti on Instagram and boasted 20,000 followers, was pronounced dead at the scene, KHON2 reported.
Cops said Jason, 44, was found dead at a home in Waipahu after Theresa's shooting, according to Hawaii News Now.
Authorities have launched an investigation into what appears to be a murder-suicide.
The influencer's death comes just days after Theresa sought legal protection against her ex due to alleged domestic abuse, according to court records reviewed by The Independent. He denied the allegations.
She had filed for a temporary restraining order against Jason, citing threats of suicide in the presence of their children and an incident where he held a knife to his own neck.
The court granted Theresa a one-year protection order, which required Jason to surrender his weapons.
However, Theresa's father, Stephen Johnston, alleged that Jason still had access to his daughter and where she was going despite the temporary restraining order.
"He stalked my daughter and assassinated her. There was documentation approved by the state that was supposed to prevent this. This crime was preventable," Johnston alleged, according to Island News.
Lucita Ani-Nihoa, Theresa's mother, said her granddaughter was left "traumatized" by the shooting.
"She has so much faith, this little girl. She just she just started praying. She doesn't believe it. She doesn't believe her mom is gone. I don't believe it," Ani-Nihoa said, according to Hawaii News Now.
She also said Theresa had recently filed for divorce against Jason.
Theresa's family set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover her funeral expenses.
On the campaign page, the influencer's mother shared that she was supposed to meet Theresa, who had two other children, on the morning she was killed.
Her mother emphasized Theresa's efforts to seek help and lamented the failure of the justice system to protect her.
"My daughter did not deserve this. She was trying so hard to get help, but the Justice system failed her. We are so devastated with the loss of our beloved Tita," the mother added.
The GoFundMe campaign has garnered tremendous support, surpassing $38,000 as of this writing.
Theresa's death comes weeks after a recent shooting involving Twitch streamer Holle Peno in West Virginia.
Peno was shot in the leg by her abusive ex-boyfriend, who later took his own life following a confrontation with the police.
Her current boyfriend, popular YouTuber Hunter Avallone, documented the incident in a video he shared on Instagram and X, formerly Twitter.
"Still trying to process this," wrote Avallone. "Holle and I are physically ok, but mentally, this is gonna do some serious damage. Holle has been amazing, and she's been incredibly brave and strong throughout this ordeal."
Peno later said in an emotional video on X that she felt her "soul was ripped in half" following the incident.
If you or someone you know is struggling or has had suicidal thoughts, confidential help is available for free at the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. The line is available 24 hours, every day.