Police Charge Kona Man in Connection With 2 Murders, 2 Attempted Murders

A Kona man faces murder and attempted murder charges following the discovery of a lifeless body Tuesday, June 7, at Hale Halawai Park in Kailua-Kona.

Hawai‘i Island police on Tuesday arrested 24-year-old Chito Asuncion and charged him with one count of first-degree murder, which applies when an individual murders more than one person; two counts of second-degree murder; and two counts of second-degree attempted murder.

Asuncion’s bail was set at $1.5 million. He remains in custody pending his initial court appearance Thursday, June 9, in Kona District Court.

Kona patrol officers responded to Hale Halawai Park shortly before 6 a.m. Tuesday after receiving a report of a lifeless body there. Detectives from the Hawai’i Police Department Area II Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene and continued to investigate.

Following up on leads, police identified Asuncion as a suspect. Later that day, he was located near the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Henry Street intersection, where he was arrested for second-degree murder.

On Tuesday, the victim, later identified as 48-year-old Boyd Maygra of Kailua-Kona, was transported to Hilo Medical Center for official pronouncement of death and scheduling of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. The autopsy was conducted Wednesday, June 8, and the manner of death was determined to be homicide, with the cause of death being multiple stab wounds.

While conducting their investigation, detectives linked Asuncion to three other crimes, including another murder, and also charged him in those cases.

The first incident, reported May 17, involved the discovery of a body found near the intersection of Palani Road and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona. The victim, later identified as 63-year-old Brian Macaulay of Kailua-Kona, was transported to HMC for official pronouncement of death and an autopsy. The official report is pending; however, the preliminary autopsy determined the manner of death was homicide and cause of death was stabbing.

A second incident, reported May 25 in Hilo, involved the assault of a 59-year-old Hilo man who reported being stabbed by an unknown male. The victim was transported to HMC, where he was treated for his injuries and later released.

The third incident, reported May 30 also in Hilo, involved the assault of a 70-year-old Hilo woman who also reported being stabbed by an unknown individual. She was transported to HMC, where she continues to receive treatment for her injuries.

Anyone who might have information relative to these cases is asked to call the police department’s nonemergency number at 808-935-3311, or contact Detective Tyler Prokopec with the Area II Criminal Investigation Section at 808-326-4646, ext. 224, or via email at [email protected].

Those who want to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.