7-11-24 (Update) Police Initiate Homicide Investigation Following the Identification of Human Remains in Ocean View
Hawaii Police Department
Area II Criminal Investigation Section
Detective Donovan Kohara
Phone: (808) 960-3118
Report No.: 24-059740
Media Release
Hawai’i Island police have initiated a homicide investigation into the death of Adam Santos whose remains were found buried in a lava field on July 2, 2024 in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision. Santos was reported missing on June 30, 2024 after he was last seen at his residence in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estate subdivision on June 22, 2024. Acting on an anonymous tip received regarding Santos’ missing person investigation, officers went to a property adjacent to Santos’ residence where a make shift gravesite was discovered. Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section also responded and unearthed the remains of a male who was later identified as Santos.
On Thursday morning, July 11, 2024, an autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist ruled that Santos’ death was caused by multiple blunt force trauma to his head.
Investigators do not have a motive for the killing and no suspects have been identified.
Police are asking for anyone with information regarding this investgation to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118; or via email at donovan.kohara@hawaiicounty.gov.
