HAWAII POLICE DEPARTMENT
AREA I CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION
LIEUTENANT RANDALL MEDEIROS
PHONE: 961-2252
JULY 7, 2006
REPORT NO. C06020250

MEDIA RELEASE

An autopsy was performed today (July 7, 2006) on a set of burned human remains found in an Ahualoa home destroyed by fire Saturday (July 1, 2006). The medical examiner concluded that the body was that of a male and that he expired due to thermal injuries sustained in a structural fire.

Investigators have enlisted the assistance of a forensic odontologist for dental comparison but positive identification of the victim has not yet been made.

Hamakua patrol officers responded to a reported violation of a protective order at an Ahualoa residence shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday. They made verbal contact with a man, who remained inside and warned them to leave. A short time later there was an explosion from within the home, which quickly became engulfed in flames.

After the fire was extinguished, a body burned beyond recognition was found among the remains of the structure. Although police have no indication that anyone other than the man they sought was inside the home, they have not yet concluded that his is the burned victim.

The case has been classified as a coroner’s inquest and is being investigated by detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Section.