Police in Hawaii are intensifying their search for a 36-year-old man suspected of being involved in three separate killings that occurred within a 48-hour period earlier this week on the Big Island.
Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna described Jacob Baker, a resident of Pahoa, Hawaii, as “armed and extremely dangerous” and warned the public not to approach him. Authorities are deploying “significant resources and personnel” to locate the suspect, Mahuna stated during a news conference on Wednesday.
The victims include two men aged 69 and one man aged 79, all found dead in the Puna district of Hawaii Island. The first body was discovered on Monday evening at around 8 p.m. at a residence, partially submerged in a cement pond. Initially, police were uncertain if foul play was involved, but preliminary autopsy results later confirmed homicide.
On Tuesday, shortly after 12:30 p.m., a 79-year-old man was found dead with apparent blunt force injuries approximately 400 to 500 feet from the first crime scene. Later that evening, at around 10 p.m., police responded to a welfare check request about 19 miles away and discovered a 69-year-old man deceased with injuries.
Chief Mahuna expressed condolences to the victims' families, stating, “These are a tragic series of events and our thoughts are with those who are grieving at this time. The Hawaii Police Department understands the fear and concerns incidents like this bring to our community.”
While authorities have not disclosed a motive, they are confident that Baker is linked to all three homicides. Mahuna declined to provide details on how Baker became a suspect or the evidence connecting him to the crimes, but noted that Baker is known to police.
Officials are urging the public to report any information about Baker’s whereabouts or any suspicious activity in the areas of the homicides. They emphasized that Baker should not be approached and that all tips should be directed to the Hawaii Police Department.
