BREAKING NEWS: Manhunt underway for 36-year-old believed to be connected to 3 murders in Puna

A manhunt is underway on the Big Island for a 36-year-old believed to be connected to the murder of three people over two days in the Puna area.

Jacob Daniel Baker, 36, of Pāhoa, is wanted for questioning in the deaths of two elderly men in their separate homes on Papaya Farms Road in Pāhoa. The first victim was discovered on Monday, May 25, and the second was found on Tuesday, May 26, according to Hawaiʻi Island police spokesperson Denise Laitinen.

A third person was killed in the area Tuesday night, which Baker also is potentially linked to, Laitinen said.

At 9:58 p.m. on Tuesday, Puna patrol officers responded to a residence in the 12-7800 block of Kalapana Kapoho Beach Road in Pāhoa for a report of a deceased male on the property.

Officers located an elderly deceased male on the property whose death police are calling a homicide. An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

The identies of the deceased men have not been released.

The entire Hawaiʻi Island Police Department is looking everywhere on the Big island for the suspect, who is considered armed and extremely dangerous.

“I think we have to assume he could be anywhere on the island,” Assistant Chief Rio Amon-Wilkins said. “He is priority number one for the entire department.”

Baker is described as Asian, 5 feet 9 inches tall, about 190 pounds, with short black hair. He also has a tattoo under his left eye.

According to court filings, a temporary restraining order was filed against Baker on May 22.

The complainant wrote in the request that after going to stay on a friend’s farm she realized that all the women left because Baker was threatening to kill them.

“He’s been intimidating the owner of the farm and threatening to harm her,” the complaintant writes. “He also threatened guests on the farm that just arrived.”

She wrote in all caps: “EVERYONE LEFT BECAUSE THEY DON’T FEEL SAFE.” She added: “Please approved this as soon as possible.”

The complainant included a link to a video that she said showed Baker making a direct threat. The link no longer exists.

On May 26, Judge Kanani Laubach denied the temporary restraining order citing there was insufficient evidence to amount to a probable cause to believe an act of harassment occurred.

Police urge the public not to approach him. If seen, members of the public should contact 911 or 808-935-3311.

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 Sy Keltner at (808) 961-2384 or via email at Sy.Keltner@hawaiipolice.gov. Members of the public may also call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000. All Crime Stoppers information is confidential.

This is an active and unfolding investigation. More information will be released as it becomes available.