Bail maintained for Puna woman charged with attempted murder

Jill Dunston, 54, was arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with a domestic incident that occurred on Sept. 30 at a residence in the ʻĀinaloa subdivision.

According to police reports, a 56-year-old man sustained four stab wounds during the incident.

Dunston’s request for supervised release was denied, and her bail was set at $1,040,000 during her initial appearance in Hilo District Court on Monday afternoon.

Dunston was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 7, 2026.

As the complaint alleges, Dunston is charged with the following:

• Attempted murder in the second degree
• Assault in the second degree (intentionally or knowingly causing bodily injury to another person with a dangerous instrument, a knife)
• Felony abuse of a family or household member (physically abusing a family or household member, with the physical abuse occurring in the presence of a minor under the age of 14)

Attempted murder in the second degree carries a penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole. Assault in the second degree and felony abuse of a family or household member are both Class C felony offenses and carry a maximum penalty of a five-year prison term.

The charges are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The case was initiated by Puna Patrol. The felony investigation was led by Detective Kūpono Mata. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Woodrow Pengelly.

Anyone with information to assist law enforcement should contact Crime Stoppers at 808-961-8300.