Hawai‘i Island police ID man found dead in apparent murder-suicide on New Year’s Day

A man found dead in South Kona on New Year’s Day in an apparent murder-suicide has been identified as Garret Kaleohano, of Captain Cook.

According to court documents, the woman found dead at the scene, Elizabeth Fernandez, filed a temporary restraining order in Kona Family Court against Kaleohano on Dec. 29, days before her father discovered their bodies in her Kealakekua home.

According to Hawai‘i Island police, detectives with the Criminal Investigation Section responded to a property on the 81-6500 block of Māmalahoa Highway at around noon on New Year’s Day. When they arrived on scene, they spoke with a 71-year-old man who said he saw the body of his daughter’s ex-boyfriend, later identified as 43-year-old Kaleohano, as he approached her residence located on the same property.

He appeared to have a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head and a rifle near his body. The man was later confirmed to be deceased.

While checking the residence, the man found his daughter’s body, later identified as 42-year-old Fernandez. According to police, the woman suffered an apparent gunshot wound to the face.

Anyone with information relative to this investigation is encouraged to call the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311. They may also contact Detective Len Hamakado at 808-326-4646, ext. 224; or via email at Len.hamakado@hawaiicounty.gov.

Residents who wish to remain anonymous can make an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers does not record any calls or subscribe to caller ID.