Hawaiʻi Island police initiate a murder investigation after fatal assault

Hawaiʻi Island police have initiated a murder investigation following an assault in Hilo that left a 57-year-old man dead.

South Hilo patrol officers responded to a report of a fight involving several individuals assaulting a man in the 100 block of Operations Street in Hilo at 5:11 p.m. on Saturday, May 9.

Responding officers located an unconscious adult male victim suffering from numerous assault-related injuries. The victim, later identified as 57-year-old Michael Alan Torres Jr. of Hilo, was transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for treatment of serious head injuries and was later flown to Queen’s Medical Center on Oʻahu for further treatment.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) responded to the scene and assumed the investigation. The scene was processed for evidence, and the investigation remains ongoing.

On Thursday, May 14, at 3:39 p.m., Torres died at Queen’s Medical Center on Oʻahu. The case is being reclassified as second-degree murder, and an autopsy will be performed today, Friday, May 15, to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to contact Detective Robert Kamau Jr. of the Area I CIS at 808-961-2384, or by email at Robert.Kamau@hawaiipolice.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 808-961-8300. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.