A 21-year-old man with Asperger’s syndrome was charged with murder in the death of his 19-year-old autistic girlfriend in Wahiawa.

With cuffed wrists, Kaniala K. Avilla-Rapoza trembled Monday as he stood before Judge James Kawashima at his initial court appearance in Honolulu District Court.

Prosecutors charged him with second-degree murder in the death of Nelibeth Albert, a 2017 graduate of Leilehua High School.

Avilla-Rapoza’s attorney, Myles Breiner, said Avilla- Rapoza was previously diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and requested he be transferred to the Hawaii State Hospital. Kawashima declined his request until a motion for transport is filed with the state Department of Public Safety. Until then Avilla-Rapoza will remain at the Oahu Community Correctional Center.

“I’m worried about his safety in the system, given that he can’t protect himself,” Breiner said. “He’s a tall kid. He looks like he can handle himself, (but) … he’s a child with Asperger’s syndrome,” Breiner said.

Avilla-Rapoza’s bail was set at $500,000.

Asperger’s syndrome is a disorder where individuals have deficiencies in social and communication skills, according to the Autism Spectrum Education Network website.

Albert and Avilla-Rapoza had been dating for two months, but they had known one another since they attended Leilehua, according to court documents.

Albert’s father reported his daughter missing on Wednesday night. The father’s girlfriend told police she last saw Albert at their apartment in Wahiawa a day earlier at about 10 a.m. when Albert told her she was going to a friend’s house. She didn’t specify which friend she was going to visit. Albert’s father said she called his daughter’s cellphone several times to no avail.

When police questioned Avilla-Rapoza, the court document said, he made several inconsistent statements about the times and dates when he had contact with Albert. When questioned about the inconsistencies, Avilla-Rapoza said he was “confused or that he forgot.”

He then abruptly said, “Just take me in already.” According to the court document, Avilla-Rapoza admitted to police that he killed Albert by choking her.

He led police down a trail at the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area to Albert’s body, which was covered by branches and leaves.

Avilla-Rapoza told police he met Albert at the park and walked down the trail “where something touched me and I just blacked out,” the court document said. Police said he then choked her with both hands.

After the hearing, Breiner said Avilla-Rapoza is innocent. “We believe someone else is responsible for this.”

According to Breiner, Avilla-Rapoza’s family said Albert was seeing other boys.

“It’s easy to blame someone with Asperger’s syndrome. They’re easily manipulated, easily influenced,” Breiner said.

Albert’s great-aunt, Juanita Spencer, who sat in the courtroom gallery during Avilla-Rapoza’s court appearance, said she is saddened over Albert’s death. She recalled how Albert and her three siblings lived with her for a while when they were younger. “(Albert) was such a bighearted kid, always smiling, always happy.”

A GoFundMe account has been created to assist with funeral expenses. To donate, visit 808ne.ws/2kdPpC4.