Maui man convicted of murdering ex-girlfriend sentenced to life in prison

WAILUKU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Maui man who murdered his ex-girlfriend nearly a decade ago was sentenced Thursday to life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Bernard Brown was convicted in August of murdering Moreira “Mo” Monsalve back in 2014.

Monsalve, a mother of three, was last seen at Brown’s apartment in Wailuku.

Her body was never found.

Brown refused to make any statements to Monsalve’s family in court Thursday afternoon, but Monsavle’s daughter and sister addressed him.

“I will never forgive him. He took one of the most important people in my life, and a lot of other people’s lives, away from me,” Monsalve’s daughter Alexis Felicilda said outside the courtroom.

Felicilda said she still has mixed emotions.

“I want her,” said Felicilda. “I don’t necessarily want to know what he did to her. I know she suffered, and I don’t want to know how bad she suffered. I just want to be able to bring her home ... put her to rest.”

Brown, 51, is eligible for parole. The Hawaii Parole Board will determine what his minimum term will be.

“He probably will serve close to the rest of his life in prison, and that is appropriate for this case,” said Deputy Prosecutor J.W. Hupp.

Brown will get credit for time serve. He has been in custody since 2019.

Brown’s attorney Randall Hironaka declined an interview. It’s likely he will appeal the sentence.

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