Kauai Man Sentenced To 20 Years After Koloa Manslaughter Plea

On December 3, 2025, Christopher Santos was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the September 2023 death of 28 year old Kith Silva Lacro in Koloa. Santos had originally faced a charge of second degree murder. The plea included additional guilty pleas that carry concurrent terms. He pleaded guilty to first degree attempted assault on a law enforcement officer and received a five year sentence. He was also sentenced to ten years each on two firearms charges and first degree assault, with those terms to be served concurrently with the manslaughter sentence.

The case provoked a ten day manhunt that involved more than a hundred Kauai Police officers, deputy U.S. Marshals and FBI agents. Investigators tracked Santos to Kekaha where he was taken into custody in a stolen Jeep carrying two rifles. Authorities say officers shot him once as he tried to flee by driving toward them. Santos had five prior felony convictions and a documented history of eluding capture.

The victim s family described the sentence as inadequate in the face of their loss. “There’s nothing that would ever be enough for his sentencing because it will never bring my brother back,” said Silva Lacro s sister, Phrystal Bacio. She said Santos showed no remorse in court, but that she was relieved the proceedings were over. “His actions were cowardly,” said Bacio. “He was a coward to do what he did to my brother, and that he murdered my only brother.” Bacio also expressed concern that others who may have helped Santos escape law enforcement have not been held to account. “I feel that everybody that was involved should have some kind of sentence to face and some kind of justice, but I don t know,” she said. “I guess they all have the criminal lifestyle and no one will talk.”

Kauai County prosecutors defended the plea as the product of extensive analysis and consultation with survivors. “Our office engages in plea negotiations based on our assessment of the strength of the State s evidence, the overarching equities, the hope of sparing survivors and loved ones from the risks and traumas of trial, and recognition of a defendant s readiness to accept accountability, along with his age, physical condition, and the future risk posed to public safety,” the prosecutor wrote in an email. The statement said prosecutors consult survivors before making formal offers and that the agreement was reached after multiple conversations and review of the facts. “Following extensive analysis, multiple conversations with those most affected by this incident, and discussion with the defendant s experienced counsel, we concluded that the plea agreement reached with the defendant was appropriate and provided a measure of closure to the survivors and loved ones.”

Defense commentary raised questions about evidence and the rationale for the plea. “I don t like to back seat drive cases where I m not too familiar with the facts, but I am surprised by this plea agreement,” said defense attorney and former deputy prosecutor Megan Kau. She added that plea agreements can avoid trial trauma for victims, but she noted that Santos s record and his attempts to evade capture would normally support a stiffer punishment. “I m speculating that there must have been something wrong, meaning there was either an issue with evidence or a witness. And that s why the government offered this plea agreement,” she said.

The resolution of this case brings legal finality for the defendant and a measure of closure for survivors, but it leaves lingering questions for Kauai County about public safety, investigative gaps and accountability for anyone who may have assisted Santos. Local officials and residents will be watching whether further charges follow against alleged accomplices and how prosecutors address concerns about evidence and sentencing in high profile violent cases.