Puna man indicted for attempted murder of elderly wife found lying in pool of blood

A 77-year-old Puna man who called Hawai‘i Island police to tell them he tried to kill his 77-year-old wife, who was later discovered by officers lying in a pool of blood inside their home, was indicted by prosecutors on several charges related to the Nov. 22 incident.

The Hawai‘i County prosecutor’s office announced Tuesday that Lowell Pofahl of Nānāwale Estates faces charges of:

• Second-degree attempted murder.
• First-degree assault (intentionally or knowingly causing substantial bodily injury to a person who is 60 or older).
• Carrying or use of a Firearm in the commission of a separate felony (intentionally using and/or threatening the use of a firearm, shotgun, while engaged in the commission of a separate felony offense).
• Abuse of a family or household member.

Pofahl made his initial court appearance Nov. 29 in Hilo Circuit Court.

Despite objections from prosecutors, the court reduced his bail from $1,655,000 to $1 million. Pofahl was also orderd to undergo a mental health examination by a panel of three professionals and appear Feb. 21, 2025, for a hearing to recieve those mental health exam reports.

He remains in custody at Hawai‘i Community Correction Center in Hilo.

Second-degree attempted murder is a Class A felony punishable by a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Carrying or use of a Firearm in the commission of a separate felony is also a Class A felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Pofahl’s indictment carries the same charges lodged against him by Hawai‘i Island police after he was arrested Nov. 22 following the discovery of his wife and her life-threatening injuries at the couple’s Nānāwale home.

She suffered a fractured skull, brain bleed, concussion, partially amputated thumb and numerous puncture wounds and lacerations.

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

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

This case was initiated by Hawai‘i Police Department Officers Shaneil Azevedo, Taylor Cruz, Rodney DeLima Jr., Craig Derasin, Clyde Domen III and Tyson Ishibashi with Puna Patrol, with the felony investigation led by Area I Juvenile Aid Section Officer Corey Kaneko.

It is being prosecuted by Deputy Hawai‘i County Prosecuting Attorneys Kirsten Selvig and Woodrow Pengelly.