UPDATE: Murder in Nanawale: Autopsy Reveals Blunt Trauma

***Updated at Dec. 18 at 4:30 p.m. with victim’s identity, autopsy results.***

Police have opened a murder investigation following the discovery of a body in Puna.

On Sunday, Dec. 16 at about 5:08 p.m., police responded to a call of a male victim with an apparent head injury in the Nanawale Estates subdivision. Officers discovered the deceased victim in his home.

Police arrested 36-year-old Jason Russell Jump in Pahoa at 10:35 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 17. He was being held in the Hilo police cellblock on suspicion of second-degree murder.

Update: HPD has released the identity of the victim, identifying him as 54-year-old James V. Johns Sr. of Nanawale Estates.

The results of an autopsy performed on the victim were also released. Examiners found that Johns died of injury to the brain caused by blunt force trauma.

Area I Criminal Investigations Detectives are continuing the investigation.

Police ask that anyone with information on this incident contact Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona.