Police: Man whose body was found last month in Hilo was fatally shot

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

Police have launched a homicide investigation following the discovery of a body last month in Hilo.

On Dec. 3, shortly before 4:45 p.m., officers responded to a report of an unresponsive male seated in a vehicle on a banana farm on Kauhiula Road above Alae Cemetery on Hilo’s northern outskirts.

According to responding officers, there were no initial indications of foul play. The deceased man was later identified as 68-year-old Albert Harry Pacheco Sr. of Hilo, an employee of the farm.

On Dec. 8, the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy notified police detectives a single gunshot wound was found on the victim’s upper thigh area.

Detectives then responded to the morgue, as well as the scene on Kauhiula Road, to investigate. The case has been classified as second-degree murder.

Police say they have have interviewed numerous witnesses, including employees of the banana farm and neighboring properties, but have not yet identified a motive or suspect.

Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the police nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300,