Hawaii Woman Charged With Attempted Murder After Allegedly Stabbing Estranged Husband

A Hawaii woman has been arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder after allegedly stabbing her estranged husband during a domestic dispute on September 30. Jill Dunston, 54, of Puna, is being held on over $1 million bail.

According to court documents, Dunston filed for divorce and alimony on September 18, citing an "irretrievably broken" marriage after 18 years. Her husband, Christopher, 56, stated that he visited their home to see their two teenage daughters, with whom he was watching television while Dunston was in another room.

Christopher reported that when he went to the bathroom, Dunston allegedly followed him, shut the door, and turned out the light. He stated that she then moved toward him and he observed a motion as if she was going to strike him. He claimed to have taken a defensive stance when Dunston punched him four times in the shoulder near his neck. He pushed her away, and she reportedly ran out of the room.

After noticing a burning sensation on his shoulders, Christopher turned on the lights and saw blood gushing out. He told police he saw Dunston run out of the house with a knife in her hands. He then walked to the door and locked it. He also reported that his wife slashed a kitchen screen door to re-enter the home.

Christopher recalled his daughters running as he "took a defensive stance" before Dunston exited without further contact. One of the daughters attempted to provide aid by bandaging his wounds with gauze.

Authorities arrived on the scene and arrested Dunston, who requested an attorney and has no prior felony convictions. Investigators executed a search warrant and seized several kitchen knives as evidence.

Court records indicate that during an interview at the Children’s Justice Center, the couple's teenage daughters corroborated aspects of the incident. The elder daughter stated that her mother had called her father a "cheating expletive" who deserved to die before allegedly stabbing him in a dark bathroom. Christopher sustained four stab wounds to his left rear shoulder.

Dunston faces charges including attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault, and domestic abuse in front of a minor. During a court appearance, her defense attorney requested supervised release without cash bail, but the prosecution opposed the motion. Judge Jeffrey Hawk denied the request, maintaining her bail at $1.04 million. Christopher has petitioned Hilo Family Court for a protective order for their two daughters.