Feds offer reward in Big Island cold-case murder

Paul D. Delacourt, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Honolulu Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Christopher Smith, Special Agent-in-Charge of the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch are seeking the public’s assistance in solving the 2005 murder of Arman B. Johnson and announcing a new reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification and conviction of Mr. Johnson’s killer.

On April 13, 2005, the body of 44-year-old Arman B. Johnson, was found within the boundaries of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Hilo side of Hawaii’s Big Island. At the time the body was found, Mr. Johnson was wearing a tank-top shirt, swim shorts, socks, and slipper sandals. The FBI Evidence Response Team assisted with the processing of the crime scene. Autopsy reports indicate that Mr. Johnson died from a single gunshot wound to the upper-back/neck fired from a handgun.

Mr. Johnson relocated to Hawaii Island from Seattle in 1984, and lived on both the Kona and Hilo sides of the island. He had a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and worked as a massage therapist at local resorts. During his time in Hawaii, Mr. Johnson also hosted a reggae music show on local radio. The motive for his execution-style murder remains unknown.

Mr. Johnson’s body was found by a passerby on the southern edge of Volcanoes National Park near the 71-mile marker of Mamalahoa Highway, about 100 yards from the edge of the road, in the area of Kahuku Ranch.

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Delacourt said, “A decade has passed since the murder of Arman Johnson. We are hoping that the passage of time may embolden a witness to come forward and tell us the truth about how and why this tragic act of violence occurred.”