Police on Saturday arrested an individual wanted for questioning in a murder investigation in connection with the discovery of a body Wednesday in Puna.
At 9:42 a.m. Saturday, Puna patrol officers arrested 55-year-old Michael Cecil Lee on suspicion of second-degree murder. He was observed by special duty police officers while he was walking on Pahoa Village Road in Pahoa during the annual Pahoa Christmas parade.
Upon officers attempting to apprehend Lee, a short foot pursuit ensued. Lee was subsequently arrested without further incident.
Lee’s arrest stems from an incident Wednesday evening at about 7:18 p.m., when Puna patrol officers responded to the Orchid Isle Estates subdivision for a report of a missing elderly male, 75-year-old Shingo Honda. A short time later, officers located the man’s deceased body several hundred yards from his residence.
On Friday morning, an autopsy was performed and determined Honda’s manner of death was homicide. He was subsequently identified through fingerprints.
Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section are continuing to investigate.
Anyone who might have information about this incident is asked to call the police nonemergency line at 935-3311, or contact Detective Todd Pataray at 961-2382 or todd.pataray@hawaiicounty.gov.
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.