The Hawaii Police Department has identified the male victim in an apparent murder/suicide that took place New Year’s Day in Kealakekua.
According to a police statement, Kona patrol officers and detectives responded shortly after noon on Jan. 1 to reports of two dead people found at a home in the 81-6500 block of Old Mamalahoa Highway.
The bodies were subsequently identified as 43-year-old Garret Kaleohano of Captain Cook, and his ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Fernandez, 42, of Kealakekua.
The bodies were found by Fernandez’s father, who was walking to his daughter’s house.
Kaleohano’s body was found next to a rifle with a seemingly self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, and Fernandez was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound to the face.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call the police department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311. They may also contact Detective Len Hamakado at (808) 326-4646, ext. 224, or via email at Len.hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov.
Citizens who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.