6-07-24 Police Seek Information on 2022 Puna Homicide Investigation
Hawai‘i Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section – Area I
Lieutenant Zachary O. Fernando
Phone: (808) 961-2251
Report No.: 22-090239
Media Release
Hawai‘i Island police are renewing their request for the public’s assistance in providing information related to a 2022 murder which occurred in Puna.
On the afternoon of October 11, 2022, shortly after 1:30 p.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a residence on Lehua Street in Mountain View, after a caller reported going to check on the welfare of an acquaintance, and discovering a foul odor coming from within the residence. She immediately contacted police. Responding officers located the decomposing body on the floor of the off-grid residence.
On Friday, October 14, 2022, an autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist concluded that the victim died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
The victim has been identified as 47-year-old James Paul Phelps of Mountain View.
Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing this investigation, which is classified as second-degree murder. The motive behind the killing remains under investigation.
Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case to call Detective Kimo Keli’ipa’akaua, of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2375, or email at kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
