A recent development in a decades-old case has brought new attention to the killing and sexual assault of a Virginia woman, Dana Ireland, who was visiting Hawaii in 1991. The Hawaii Police Department identified a new possible suspect, 57-year-old Albert Lauro Jr., through DNA evidence. Lauro, a resident of Hawaiian Paradise Park on the Big Island, took his own life after police obtained a DNA sample from him.
Authorities collected DNA from Lauro by observing him eat lunch and retrieving a discarded fork. Despite the DNA match to Ireland's body, the statute of limitations prevented rape charges against Lauro. While murder charges remain within the statute of limitations, police lacked sufficient evidence to charge him with Ireland's death.
The case gained notoriety last year when Albert “Ian” Schweitzer, who had been imprisoned for over two decades for the crime, was released based on new evidence. Schweitzer, who maintained his innocence throughout, may soon be officially exonerated pending a judge's ruling.
Lauro's suicide has raised questions about the investigation, with Schweitzer's legal team criticizing law enforcement for not taking precautions to prevent Lauro from fleeing or harming himself. Despite these criticisms, police deny any wrongdoing and emphasize their commitment to following the evidence.
The push to solve Ireland's murder intensified after Schweitzer's release in January 2023. The Innocence Project, assisting Schweitzer's case, identified Lauro as a potential suspect through DNA analysis. Lauro lived in close proximity to where Ireland's body was discovered and had access to a vehicle matching tire marks found at the scene.
As the case unfolds, Schweitzer's attorneys continue to advocate for a federal investigation into the handling of the investigation. The quest for justice in Ireland's tragic death remains ongoing, with renewed hope for closure and accountability in this long-standing mystery.
