Police: Love triangle led to Hawaii acupuncturist’s killing

Posted at 7:24 AM, February 22, 2022 and last updated 5:26 PM, July 7, 2023

By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — A Hawaii man shot and killed the acupuncturist who treated his wife for back pain and fertility issues — and had an affair with her, Honolulu police said.

Police arrested Eric Thompson, 34, on Valentine’s Day on suspicion of murder.

This undated photo provided by the Honolulu Police Department shows murder victim Jon Tokuhara. (Honolulu Police Department)

Surveillance footage showed him arriving in his pickup truck at a Waipahu acupuncture office in January, walking inside carrying a shopping bag and leaving 48 seconds later, according to a detective affidavit filed in court.

Acupuncturist Jon Tokuhara’s mother found him on Jan. 13 laying on the floor of his office with a pool of blood near his head, police said.

While investigating his death, police learned from a patient of Tokuhara’s that she referred Thompson’s wife, Joyce, to him for help with back pain and fertility. The patient was one of the couple’s teachers when they were high school sweethearts, the police affidavit said.

Police found Instagram messages between Joyce Thompson and Tokuhara indicating they had an intimate relationship.

The Instagram messages stopped after they had a conversation about Thompson finding out about the affair, police said.

Thompson, who posted $1 million bond, couldn’t immediately be reached for comment Feb. 16. He was scheduled to be arraigned the next day.