76-year-old woman found lying in pool of blood after allegedly being severely beaten by her elderly Puna husband

An elderly Puna man was arrested and is charged with trying to kill his 76-year-old wife after allegedly beating her so severely that Big Island police found her lying in a pool of blood inside their home, suffering from several injuries including a fractured skull, brain bleed and even a partially amputated thumb.

Hawai‘i Police Department reports that 77-year-old Lowell Thomas Pofahl of Nānāwale Estates is charged with:

• Second-degree attempted murder.
• First-degree assault.
• Abuse of a family or household member.
• Carrying or use of a firearm in the commission of a separate felony.

Pofahl’s bail was set at $1,655,000. He remains in police custody pending his initial court appearance this afternoon in Hilo District Court.

The charges against Pofahl stem from an incident reported shortly before 10:30 p.m. Nov. 22.

Hawai‘i Police Department dispatch received a call from a man who identified himself as Pofahl, saying he tried to kill his 76-year-old wife.

Puna patrol officers immediately contacted Pofahl upon responding to the couple’s Nānāwale Estates home, where he was taken into custody without incident.

Officers entered the home and found his wife, sufffering from life-threatening injuries and lying in a pool of blood.

Police provided first aid until Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel arrived, who then took over life-saving measures before transporting Pofahl’s wife to the emergency room at Hilo Benioff Medical Center.

Responding officers were told about a shotgun in the home, which was recovered, that was reportedly used to threaten and beat the woman. She was not shot.

Initial assessment of the 76-year-old woman’s injuries showed had a fractured skull, brain bleed, concussion, partially amputated thumb and numerous puncture wounds and lacerations.

She was later transported to Queen’s Medical Center on O‘ahu because of the severity of her injuries.

Her condition has since improved. She remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Honolulu Police Department detectives assisted with following up with the woman on O‘ahu.

Personnel with the Hawai‘i Police Department Area I Criminal Investigation Division served a search warrant the afternoon of Nov. 23 at the Pofahl residence in Nānāwale Estates.

They recovered various weapons thought to have been used by Pofahl to beat and injure his wife, as well as additional evidence.

Anyone who might have information relative to this case and/or the people involved is asked to contact acting Detective Corey Kaneko at 808-961-8843 or via email at Corey.Kaneko@hawaiicounty.gov.

You can also call the Hawai‘i Police Department non-emergency number at 808-935-3311.