BREAKING UPDATE: Triple murder suspect found hiding in cave in Puna; taken into custody without incident
The suspect, 36-year-old Jake Baker, was captured on Red Road in Kaimu near Kalapana, according to a resident who took video of the arrest.
6 hours ago
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5:17 p.m. on May 28, 2026.
Deborah Davis was driving to her home in Lower Puna on Thursday when she spotted a man who looked like the triple murder suspect Jake Baker running across Red Road being chased by a female cop.
She said he ran from the ocean side to the mountain side of the road and down a “jungle driveway” with more officers in pursuit. Davis then could hear yelling and a few minutes later her live video on Facebook showed Baker being walked to a patrol car without a shirt and handcuffed, while at least 20 officers high-fived, shook hands and hugged.
The manhunt that began sometime on Tuesday morning was over at about 2:45 p.m. on Thursday.
“I was just happy to be able to get something so quickly to my community, because everybody’s just been on pins and needles for, you know, all week,” Davis said.
During a press conference Thursday afternoon, Hawai’i Island Police Chief Reed Mahuna said the 36-year-old Baker was found hiding in a small cave in the Kaimu Cove, Kaimu Kalapana area. It was in close proximity, about 500 feet, to the house of 69-year-old John Carse, who was the third person killed in the murder spree.
Davis said while she was driving home she slowed down for a moment in front of Carse’s house that sits at the top of the hill “out of sadness.” As she drove down the hill, she saw Baker running across the street.
Mahuna said Hawai’i Island police received a tip that the possible suspect was seen hiding within a grassy area in a field. The tipsters were Richard Valdez and Mark Wyatt, who had spotted Baker on their security camera of their vacant property. Valdez said they got a notification that someone was in their yard and they called the police.
Mahuna said: “Witnesses reported observing the male party ducking down as passing traffic approached. Investigators subsequently obtained video surveillance footage that corroborated these observations. The surveillance footage also captured the suspect fleeing from the initial property onto an adjacent property.”
In the surveillance footage, Baker is seen gingerly walking barefoot with long dark boardshorts and no shirt. A dog is by his side. When a truck passes, he goes flat onto his belly.
Pāhoa was taken into custody without incident, Mahuna said.
Baker of Pāhoa, is being screened for a slew of charges:
- Second-degree murder
- First-degree burglary
- First-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle
- First-degree theft
- Fourth-degree criminal property damage
- Fourth-degree theft
- First-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle
Mahuna thanked the community for their help in this search.
“It was a citizen that saw something, said something, and helped bring this manhunt to a safe conclusion,” the chief said. “That partnership between law enforcement and the people we serve is what keeps Hawaii Island safe.”
Because of the combined efforts the department’s partners, vigilance of residents and work of the Hawai‘i Island police officers, Mahuna said, they were able to accomplish the mission without further harm.
“The investigation will continue, and we will work closely with the prosecutors as this case moves forward,” the chief said. “For now, I want the people of Hawai‘i Island to know that we hear your concerns, your safety is our top priority, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect this community.”
Mahuna confirmed Baker reportedly stole a vehicle earlier this week but it was not at the scene during his arrest this afternoon. There were no weapons reportedly found on the 36-year-old when he was taken into custody. He also said that it is not believed that anyone was helping him hide.
Mahuna declined to reveal the connection between Baker’s alleged victims.
Hawai‘i County Mayor Kimo Alameda said at the press conference: “I couldn’t sleep last night, me and many others, and that’s why I extend my deepest gratitude to the officers, investigators, and all supporting agencies who have been working around the clock to find this suspect. This was truly all hands on deck, and I’d also like to thank the public for staying alert and for sharing tips that aided in this investigation.”
Alameda reassured the community that the county is doing everything in its power to protect its residents and ensure that every person feels safe.
“I know this tragedy deeply impacted our community, and we ask that you keep the family and friends of the victims in your thoughts and in your prayers,” the mayor said. “Today represents an important step forward toward justice and healing for everybody.”
After seeing Davis’ video of Baker’s capture, Don Hyatt said on social media: “They got him. My friends are still dead, but there’s at least that.”
Baker of Pāhoa is the lone suspect in three homicides that took place earlier this week at three locations in Puna.
Additional federal and state resources were called in the search for Baker, the Hawaiʻi Island police said in a press release issued at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday.
“Every law enforcement agency in the state has reached out and offered support,” Hawaiʻi Island Police Chief Reed Mahuna said in a statement.
Helping with the search for Baker were members of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Marshals Office, the state Department of Law Enforcement Sheriffs and the state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement.Earlier Thursday, police announced the positive identification of two of the victims: Carse and Robert Shine, both 69 and from Pāhoa. Hyatt identified the third victim as Chitta Morse, 79, also of Pāhoa.
On Tuesday at 9:58 p.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a residence in the 12-7800 block of Kalapana Kapoho Beach Road (also known as Red Road) in Pāhoa for a report of a deceased man on the property. Officers located an elderly deceased male who has been positively identified as Carse.
An autopsy performed Wednesday indicated Carse died as a result of sharp force trauma, however the pathologist’s final ruling is pending standard toxicology results.
On Monday at 8:47 p.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a residence in the 14-000 block of Papaya Farms Road in Pāhoa for a report of an unknown type disturbance.
Arriving officers located Shine “partially submerged in a cement pond” at his residence. Friend Don Hyatt said it was a catchment tank for water. There were no clear indications of foul play, however due to suspicious circumstances, detectives responded and continued the investigation.
On Wednesday, an autopsy performed on Shine indicated he had died as a result of a strangulation.
On Tuesday afternoon at 12:39 p.m., Puna patrol officers responded to a residence in the 14-300 block of Papaya Farms Road and located a 79-year-old deceased male, who friends say was Morse. Positive identification of the victim has been made, police said, but they are not release his name pending notification of his family.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of each of these three victims,” Mahuna said in a statement.
Police ask anyone with information regarding this investigation or Baker’s whereabouts to contact Detective Duane Rapoza at (808) 961-2383 or via email at Duane.Rapoza@hawaiipolice.gov, or Detective Daniel Tam at (808) 961-2380 or via email at Daniel.Tam@hawaiipolice.gov. Members of the public may also call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.
Citizens 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.
More information will be released as it becomes available.
