HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
HILO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
DETECTIVE LEO K. JITCHAKU
PHONE: 961-2255
AUGUST 3, 1999
F-96184
MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE
Police have reclassified from a coroner’s inquest to a homicide the death of a man whose body was found in Waipio Valley on June 2, 1999.
A coroner’s report received Monday (August 2, 1999) said the results of an autopsy determined that the victim, identified as Matthew Joel Peak, 22, died as a result of asphyxia due to homicidal violence.
The decomposed body of Peak, a resident of Waipio at the time, was removed from the Hamakua valley the day after it was discovered.
Anyone with information about Peak’s death or what may have led up to it is asked to call Hilo CIS Detective Leo K. Jitchaku at 961-2255.
Those who wish to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. The numbers are answered 24 hours a day. Callers will be given a coded number and their identity will remain anonymous. Callers may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 if their call leads to an arrest, indictment or the recovery of property. Crime Stoppers neither subscribes to “Caller ID,” nor does it record phone calls.
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