UPDATE: Kailua-Kona Murder Investigation

UPDATE: Oct. 21

An autopsy conducted on Friday, Oct. 21, on the body found Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18. off Hawaiʻi Belt Road determined that 36-year-old Alanaokala Solomon Covington of Kailua-Kona died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the murder investigation.

On Sunday, police received an anonymous tip about a possible murder in Kailua-Kona.

The investigation led to the discovery of a burial site late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18, off Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Highway 190) north of the 27-mile marker. Police secured the area overnight and recovered Covington’s bodyWednesday morning, Oct. 19.

Police ask anyone with any information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Jerome Manuel at 326-4646, extension 262, or jerome.manuel@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

ORIGINAL POST: Oct. 20

Hawaiʻi Island police have initiated a murder investigation in connection with the recovery of a Kona man’s body.

On Sunday, Oct. 16, police received an anonymous tip about a possible murder in Kailua-Kona.

An investigation led to the discovery of a burial site late Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18, off Hawaiʻi Belt Road (Highway 190) north of the 27-mile marker.

Police secured the area overnight and recovered the body Wednesday morning, Oct. 19.

The victim has been identified as 36-year-old Alanaokala Solomon Covington of Kailua-Kona.

An autopsy to determine the exact cause of death is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 21.

Police ask anyone with any information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Jerome Manuel at 326-4646, ext. 262, or jerome.manuel@hawaiicounty.gov.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.