Tyler enjoyed taking . Allow Notifications Hide this Message Please move on with you family. Nevertheless, Larry continued fighting for justice and knocked on every door in the city to seek help in his mission. Raymond Kealohaokalani Lui Jr. Now he only is serving 10 years. Youve given him all the damn time in the world. Hopefully this murderer will leave prison the same way his x-wife left this life. The day of reckoning is finally at hand for this defendant, he said. Justice At Last for Sandy G? So many setbacks and delays. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Larry Wade McClendon, 2023 Marianna Chapel Funeral Home. Air Force retiree Larry Mendonca's daughter Sandra was found strangled to death in her . It is my hope that they will have a relationship with their Grandparents. I have the utmost affection and love for Sandy's family, friend Renae Hamilton-Cambeilhtold producers. Soon after, detectives also got hold of Darrens calendar, where he regularly kept a log of the times he felt angry at Sandras behavior. Obituary Headlines, View current celebrity deaths on Legacy.com From Dec. 4, 2020 onward, our daily celebrity news obituaries can be found at Legacy.com. The evidencewas enough for an indictment, but Darren was still free on bail for five more years while prosecutors put their case together. Galas was strangled to death in her car at her Eleele home in 2006, a crime that shocked the island and stood unsolved for several years before estranged husband Darren Galas was convicted in 2018. Find Larry Mendonca obituaries and memorials at Legacy.com. But well do whatever we can to move on, he said. Funeral arrangement under the care ofTurlock Memorial Park & Funeral Home. For Sandras big brother, Lawrence Mendonca Jr., one of the most difficult realizations about his sisters death is realizing that the many good memories he has of her are smudged with sadness. Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com. Right?! Im going to be very curious what Kollar has to say about the plea deal after sentencing is done. Elder Fernandes Found Deceased in Temple, Texas; Death Ruled Suicide by Dallas Medical Examiner (August 25,2020), Stars and Stripes: Why is Fort Hood the Armys Most Crime-Ridden Post? It wasnt until 2012,investigators were able to pin Darren to the crime with the use of new forensic techniques, specifically touch DNA from evidence at the scene of the crime was a match to Darren Galas. What a horrible prosecutor and set of laws you have on that island. She will never get to see and attend any of her children graduation. At her grave site, I made a vow that I wouldnt end this until justice was served, Mendoca said. Unfortunately, the Galas family fell apart in 2005 when Sandra discovered Darrens infidelity and separated from him. That pushed the silent auction over the top. Watanabe said the sentencing was scheduled for April 25 and asked the states position on the matter. Sensing he might be lying, the detectives searched his home for evidence but had to let him go when they were left empty-handed. Police believe Sandra Galas was killed while she and Darren Galas were involved in a custody dispute over their two children. Its the true crime story of Sandra Galas and her fathers quest for cold case justice. In January of this year, 12 years after the murder, Galasentered a no contest plea in courtto a charge of first degreeassault a class B felony. Lawrence Mendonca and Lawrence Mendonca, Sandra Mendonca Galas' father and brother, respectively, roll out for a shotgun start Sunday at the Never Forget Sandy G golf tournament benefiting. I am disgusted in the Kauai system, my family was set to vacation there next year. The case remained open until a grand jury returned an indictment in October 2012. Bethany Freudenthal, Courts, Crime and County reporter, 652-7891 bfreudenthal@thegardenisland.com, While you spend time in prison I will seek out your Sons to tell them the real truth about you. Prior to the change of plea, a trial was scheduled for the end of April, Mendonca said. He deserves to never see the light of day. We are a failed Nation when it comes to solving a crime, trying a crime, and the appropriate sentence being given IN A TIMELY MANNER! Lawrence and Toshie Mendonca, Sandy Gs parents, and her brother Lawrence, started the tournament to raise funds for the YWCA of Kauai to help victims and survivors of domestic violence, and to keep the Sandy G case alive in the publics minds. By Mike Gordon. Parts of Darren's story didn't add up, and he was arrested on suspicion of murder while investigators searched his home. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in the book. It usually comes down to our children being used against us. Lawrence Mendonca Jr., Toshi and Lawrence Mendonca console each other following the sentencing for Darren Galas, Wednesday at the Puuhonua Kaulike Building courtroom. At that time Mendoncatook the news crew to the grave of his daughter, SandraGalas. Kollar youre a clown along with the rest of these donkeys!!! Wade was a contractor by trade with a . Arrest made in cold case murder of Sandra Galas But there I was listening in a matter of minutes that my daughter had been found dead under suspicious circumstances, Larry Mendonca said. Estranged husband pleads no contest in connection with wifes 2006 death The case went unsolved for years and if not for the efforts of her father Larry, the case may never have been solved. READ MORE Posted in Death Notices All you guys care about is numbers, Mendonca yelled. It is one thing to do a horrible thing, another to lie and not do the time for the crime. Funeral Home website by. He will also be missed by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. Larry R. Menden, age 70, of Winona, passed away at his home, Thursday, November 3, after battling cancer for over two years. Monday, May 1, 2023 | DATELINE FRIDAY PREVIEW: The Other Side of Paradise The couple had their son, Lawrence Jr., in 1976, and their daughter, Sandra, was born on May 15, 1978, in Misawa, Japan. Police make cold case arrest in 2006 murder of Kauai woman In January 2018, twelve years after the murder, Darren Galas entered a no contest plea in court for a charge of first degree assault, a class B felony. I wouldnt have wanted to spend today anywhere else.. Estranged husband pleads no contest in connection with wifes 2006 death Red Flags Raised Over Mysterious Disappearances, Sexual Assaults | Hollie McKay (January 6,2021), Truth will come to lightAt length the truth will out. WilliamShakespeare, Report of the Fort Hood Independent Review Committee (November 6,2020), Donny Walker Show: Update on Fort Hood Investigations, Federal Government Cold Case Policy, and The Kamisha Block Bill (October 6,2020), Speier, Mullin Introduce Bipartisan I Am Vanessa Guilln Act to Transform the Militarys Response to Sexual Violence & Missing Servicemembers (September 16,2020), Research Reveals Pattern of Violence, Suspicious Deaths, Problematic Death Investigations, and Cover-up at Fort Hood in Texas (September 11,2020), Fort Hood Army Sgt. God bless. An insightful Larry was a dedicated servant of the Lord, a former pastor of Calvary Independent Church in Wahiawa - as well as of several other churches, a 6th grade teacher at Hanalani Schools in Mililani, a father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and husband to . Mar. Sandra Galas was found strangled to death in her garage in 2006,and police soon zeroed in on two suspects. LIHUE A Kauai man pleaded no contest Monday to the reduced charge of assault in the first degree in the death of his wife 12 years ago. No one can outrun the wrath of God.. As women, we are told to leave our abusers, take the children, report them, file restraining order. DATELINE FRIDAY SNEAK PEEK: The Other Side of Paradise He was born on June 14, 1975 to Donald Wayne Beasley and Sarah Jane McClendon. These boys are standing behind their father from what Ive read at other sites. As a parent, you never want to see your kids hurt. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m . acknowledge that you have agreed to the TERMS OF SERVICE. Now in their 80s, Larry and Toshie lead a quiet life and continue giving back to the community in small ways. The KSSK staff gathered around Larry Price to say . Dec 1, 2022. Change). Naturally, Larry was devasted at losing his beloved daughter but promised to seek justice for her. No weapon or cord found that was used to straggle her, No blood, no DNA. can stop at any time. He enjoyed time with those who love him, going fishing, playing basketball, riding down dirt roads, playing chess, and listening to music. Your email address will not be published. It wasnt until 2012,investigators were able to pin Darren to the crime with the use of new forensic techniques, specifically touch DNA from evidence at the scene of the crime was a match to Darren Galas. Now he going fool the parole board. He is survived by his wife, Carole Yamamoto; daughters, Kimberliee (Kevin) Tanaka, Kendelle Yamamoto-Moran (Mitch) Moran;; sisters, Jane (Ray) Otomo, Amy Mendonca and 5 grandchildren. Larry was born October 8, 1952, in Shakopee, to Betty and . Lawrence Larry Mendonca was of Portuguese origins and served in the Air Force for 22 years, while his wife, Toshie, was Japanese. And last Christmas and like 9 Christmases before that. Blunt force trauma and strangulation deserves a murder conviction, not mere assault. Larry Wade McClendon, age 47, of Round Lake, Fl., passed away on Friday, August 26, 2022 at his residence. The case went cold again, but the Mendoncas and Chief Perry refused to give up hope. The case against Darren Galas was prosecuted five years ago, Mendonca said, but the defense has been delaying since then. Later in 2005, Sandra Galas asked for a divorce, according to reports. Copyright 2023 TheGardenIsland.com. acknowledge that you have agreed to the TERMS OF SERVICE. A group from the YWCA of Kauai hosts a sign waving vigil, Wednesday morning outside the Puuhonua Kaulike Building where the sentencing for Darren Galas took place. The judge and DA should be thankful Sandras father has not taken vengeance. In a confrontation outside of courtroom six where the hearing took place, Mendonca angrily confronted Prosecuting Attorney Justin Kollar and Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Winn. Visitation: 10:00am; Services: 11:00am on Saturday, May 13, 2023 . The golf tournament originally served two purposes: To help victims and survivors, and to keep Sandra's case alive in the public mind. Scrubs!> The feds need to do a thorough investigation intoOPA and KPD!!!! The case went cold until 2012, when investigators were able to pin him to the crime with the use of new forensic techniques. How do you tell a woman that the baby shed once nursed had been found dead, that the infant who had clung to her bosom, fallen asleep in her arms, played on her legs, skipped off to school, clutching the lunch she had made for her, was now dead, he told the court. All rights reserved. Larry and Toshie Mendonca, Sandra's parents, along with Lawrence, started the Never Forget Sandy G Foundation, raising money for the island's YWCA to help domestic violence survivors and raise awareness, according to Midweek Kauai . What a disgrace. Sounds like Galas has used those years to fool everyone, including Sandys own children, into believing that he is not a monster. send us an email. Nonetheless, the grieving father delivered an emotional impact statement in court, detailing the familys pain for the past several years. Mutsue Okahara. Kauai man sentenced in connection to wifes 2006 death Was weird because they never let their kids go to the kid classes. He doesnt admit guilt but goes to prison. Tarry Low gets to skip trial to go to Vegas- now the admitted killer of Sandy G gets a few extra months of freedom- why? Darren Galas, who walked out of the courthouse surrounded by family, declined to comment. Honolulu, Hawaii May 8, 1941 - April 10, 2021 Share Obituary: Tribute Wall Obituary & Events Share a memory Send Flowers Share a memory of Lawrence "Larry" Tsuneji Yamamoto. Hawaii man sentenced in connection to wifes 2006 death 3 Trees, Flowers, or Condolences have been shared with support of Larry's family -. The law needs to change from reasonable doubt to common sense! Daniel Stewart, Jill Yousaf & Army Soldier James Catlin Conspired and Murdered Homeless Colorado Teen Maggie Fetty (November 30, 1991), Air Force Retiree Michael Giles Fatally Shot and Buried in Backyard of Texas Home; Kwaneta Harris Sentenced to 50 Years in Prison (July 4, 2006), Fort Bliss Army Commander Lynn Reister Found Murdered in Texas Home; Enlisted Army Spouse Roger Reister & Brother Sentenced to Life (May 24, 2001), Navy Veteran Christopher Ingraham Jr. Fatally Shot While Sleeping; Girlfriend Katrina Bridges Found Guilty, Sentenced to 47 Years (January 4, 2001), Navy Seabee Rebecca Braswell Conspired to Have Ex-Husband & Navy Veteran John Marmo Murdered; Sentenced to Life in Prison (December 1, 2006), Iva Kroeger Murdered Motel Owners Mildred Arneson and WWI Army Veteran Jay Arneson in California; Sentenced to Life in Prison (August 20, 1962), Army Veteran Major Christian 'Kit' Martin Arrested for 2015 Pembroke, Kentucky Homicides; Two Years Later in 2021, Jury Finds Guilty, Sentenced to Life in Prison (May 11, 2019), Navy Spouse Susan Russo Hired Drug Addicted Hitmen for $100 to Kill Husband David Russo for Life Insurance; Sentenced to Life in Prison (July 14, 1994), Fear Thy Neighbor Premiered 'Lake of Madness' on Investigation Discovery: Paul Crawford Executed Family Next Door, Then Killed Himself (April 20, 2015). D.V. His guilt is not even in question. To report comments that you believe do not follow our guidelines, discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. Golfers Kekoa Colipano and Sean Shigematsu are ready for the Hokuala Ocean Course Sunday during the shotgun start of the Never Forget Sandy G golf tournament. Weve been trying to get this case through for 12 years, he said. Galas sentenced to 10-year open prison term Darren Galas, 40 of Kalaheo was arrested for the 2006 murder of his estranged wife, Sandra Galas. Wade was a lifelong resident of Jackson County, FL, and was a graduate of Grand Ridge High School in 1992. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Men really? Kauai man sentence in connection with strangling death of his wife Sandy doesnt get to see her children grow up much less their graduation so who gives a rats behind if Darren Galas doesnt get to see his kids graduate? Remember this next election for prosecutor, Kollar should be ashamed of himself. . -KITV (2012), The body of Sandra Galas was found in her garage in Eleele on Jan. 25, 2006. We also had the murderer Hilario chilling at KCCC for years after being found guilty of murder in the first degree before being sent to a real prison. Hopefully there will be no chance of parole for him! Only evidence and motive had was TRO and him stalking her, if every man is guiltily for doing that, then all men should all go jail too. I do love Sandy and her boys, he said. Darren Galas, 46, was originally charged with one count of murder in the second degree. Leave a sympathy message to the family on the memorial page of Larry David Mendonca to pay them a last tribute. Today's Paper After graduating high school, Sandra moved to New York for her college. We lost a dear person, so whatever happened it doesnt bring it back, it doesnt make it OK. LIHUE A Kauai man pleaded no contest Monday to the reduced. Kauai man arrested in wifes cold case murder Services: 11 a.m. Saturday at Nanakuli Door of Faith Church, 89-142 Haleakala Ave. All Rights Reserved. Scoop: Coming Up on DATELINE on NBC Today, June 15, 2018