Kaua‘i police make crack in homicide cold case of Amber Jackson

New developments in the 15-year-old murder cold case of Amber Jackson on Kaua‘i have led to the arrest warrant for a 57-year-old man who may now be on the Big Island.

On Tuesday, the Kaua‘i Police Department issued a warrant for Gregory Glaser, who was initially identified as a person of interest in the death of Jackson, a resident of Kapa‘a. She was found dead in a remote forested area of Keālia on July 3, 2010 with blunt-force trauma to the head, police said.

The warrant is for a second-degree murder charge, with bail set at $1 million. Law enforcement is actively working to locate Glaser.

“For more than 15 years, this case has remained a priority for investigators who never stopped working on behalf of Amber Jackson,” Kaua‘i County Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like said in a news release. “The issuance of an arrest warrant reflects a finding of probable cause under the law.”

Following the discovery of Jackson’s body, police say Glaser left Kaua‘i and relocated off-island.

At the time of Jackson’s death, officials in a Kaua‘i County press release stated the investigation did not yield sufficient evidence to connect anyone to the crime, but detectives continued to pursue all leads.

Over the years, successive generations of KPD detectives built on prior investigative efforts, re-interviewing witnesses, reviewing evidence, coordinating with other law enforcement agencies, and traveling to other Hawaiian islands and out of state to follow up on leads.

“This has been a complex investigation, and our detectives, both past and present, have never stopped working to uncover the truth,” Kauaʻi Police Chief Kalani Ke said. “Today, we are taking an important step in holding those responsible accountable, and we hope this brings Amber’s loved ones and our community closer to the answers they have been seeking.”

Glaser was last seen on Hawai‘i Island. He is Caucasian, about 5-feet-8 inches and 160 pounds. He has brownish-gray long hair, brown eyes and a dot tattoo on his abdomen.

According to court records, Glaser was charged and pleaded no contest in Hawai‘i Island’s 3rd Circuit Court in August 2024 to second-degree assault, a class C felony, and ownership and possession prohibited following a shooting in the island’s Puna District on April 1, 2023.

According to Hawai‘i Island police, Glaser shot a 36-year-old man following a violent affray involving six people, some of whom were armed with machetes.

A judge sentenced Glaser to four years probation. Court records show that on July 22, a revocation of probation with a $5,000 arrest warrant was issued.

Hawai‘i Island police did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this case.

“Law enforcement also recognizes the unwavering patience and resolve shown by Amber’s family and loved ones, who never gave up hope while investigators continued their work,” Like said.

Kaua‘i County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said in a news release that it’s moments like this that remind everyone how one loss can affect an entire community.

“I’m deeply grateful for the continued work of the Kaua‘i Police Department and investigators who helped bring this case to this point, and we continue to keep Amber Jackson’s loved ones in our thoughts,” Kawakami said.

Anyone with information on Glaser’s whereabouts or the investigation is urged to contact Sergeant Brian Silva at 808-241-1908 or KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 808-246-8300, online at crimestopperskauai.org, or via the P3 Tips Mobile App for Apple and Android devices.