Three elderly men were killed in separate attacks on Hawaii's Big Island within 48 hours, and police say the suspect, a 36-year-old Pāhoa man described as "armed and extremely dangerous," remains at large as an intensive manhunt continues.
Hawaii Island police have identified the suspect as Jacob "Jake" Daniel Baker, 36, of Pāhoa, and say he is wanted in connection with all three homicides in the Puna district earlier this week.
Investigators say the killings occurred over Monday and Tuesday and involved three older men, two aged 69 and one aged 79, whose bodies were found at different locations in the rural eastern part of the island. Authorities have not publicly released the name of the 79-year-old victim, citing pending notification of next of kin, according to CNN.
Police Chief Reed Mahuna said at a news conference that detectives believe the homicides are linked and involve a single suspect, emphasizing that Baker is known to law enforcement but declining to detail how he was connected to the crime scenes.
Mahuna said the department is deploying "significant" or "substantial" resources and personnel to find Baker and called his capture the agency's top priority. Officials have not identified a motive but say they are confident Baker is involved in all three killings based on evidence gathered so far.
The victims were discovered at separate properties in the Puna area, including one man found partially submerged in a cement pond, according to local reports.
Police have said no firearm was used in the attacks, but warned that Baker should still be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Authorities have not disclosed what weapons may have been involved or whether any of the victims knew the suspect.
Officers and specialized units have been conducting searches in and around Pāhoa and the wider Puna, using roadblocks, aerial support, and additional patrols as they follow up on public tips.
Residents have been urged to stay alert, secure their homes, and report suspicious activity, but police have cautioned people not to approach Baker if they see him. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is being asked to call 911 or contact the Hawaii Police Department's non-emergency line, as per Audacy.
