Tragedy struck the Hilo community over the weekend when an elderly woman was murdered in an early morning attack. According to an official release by the Hawai‘i Police Department, officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Olu Street in Hilo after receiving reports of an unresponsive woman who appeared to have been stabbed. Upon arrival at approximately 7:22 a.m. on Saturday, March 29, they discovered an 81-year-old woman lying in her driveway, suffering from multiple stab wounds to her face.
The suspect, 30-year-old Keone Peter Tosie Brown, was found quickly and flee the scene along the property line he shared with the victim. As stated by the Hawai‘i Police Department, Brown was arrested without incident and taken to the East Hawai‘i Detention Facility, pending an ongoing investigation. Fire Department personnel subsequently determined that the victim's injuries were fatal. A witness reportedly told police that after observing Brown attacking the woman, he also threatened her with the knife before retreating.
The ongoing investigation is being handled by the Area I Criminal Investigation Division, which is currently classifying the case as second-degree murder and first-degree terrorist threatening. The police are awaiting a search warrant to search the suspect's property for evidence as they remain on scene at Brown's residence.
The identity of the victim has not been released, as authorities are waiting on identification and official notification of next of kin. "An autopsy will be performed early next week to determine the exact cause of death," according to a statement obtained by Hawaii Police Department. The victim was pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 9:57 a.m. Detective Duane Rapoza Jr. of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section is heading the inquiry and urges anyone with information to reach out.
Community members with any knowledge of the incident are encouraged to contact Detective Rapoza at (808) 961-2383 or via email at [email protected]. For those wishing to provide information anonymously, tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300, where they may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
