Big Island police have reclassified an investigation into the death of a 21-year-old Puna woman from a coroner’s inquest to a murder. Earlier this week, the body of Kaycee M. Smith was found in her Orchidland Estates home, where she lived alone.

Tuesday morning at approximately 8:50 a.m., Puna patrol officers were directed to the victim’s home by an acquaintance, who reported that she found the victim there with a suspected fatal gunshot wound. Officers responded to the scene along with Fire/Rescue personnel, who found the victim deceased.

 An autopsy performed Thursday morning (July 2) revealed that the woman died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The pathologist who performed the autopsy concluded that the manner of death was homicide. 

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Section are continuing this investigation.      

Police ask that anyone with information about this case call Lieutenant Mitchell Kanehailua at 961-2252. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.