Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that a Kona man, 25 year-old Chito K. Asuncion, was sentenced to consecutive life prison terms today in Kona Circuit Court in relation to a series of violent crimes that occurred in 2022.
Asuncion appeared for his sentencing hearing today in Kona Circuit Court. On August 28, 2023, Asuncion pleaded “Guilty” to two charges of Murder in the Second Degree (knowingly caused the deaths of Boyd Maygra on June 7, 2022 and Brian Macaulay on May 17, 2022) and two charges of Assault in the First Degree (knowingly caused serious bodily injury to Gary Nakagawa on May 25, 2022 and Alice Coleman on May 30, 2022). Asuncion was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the murder convictions and ten-year prison terms for each assault conviction. The Court ordered that the sentences be served consecutively.
On June 7, 2022, shortly before 6:00 a.m., Kona patrol officers responded to Hale Halawai County Park after receiving a report of a lifeless body there. Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene and continued the investigation.
Following-up on leads, police identified 24-year-old Chito Asuncion of Kona as a suspect. Later that day, Asuncion was located near the Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway and Henry Street intersection, where he was arrested for second-degree murder.
The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center for official pronouncement of death and scheduling of an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. Upon conclusion of the autopsy conducted on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, the manner of death was determined to be a homicide and cause of death was multiple stab wounds. Police identified the victim as 48-year-old Boyd Maygra of Kailua-Kona.
While conducting the investigation into this murder, detectives linked Asuncion to three other crimes, including another murder, and charged him in those cases as well.
The first incident, reported on, May 17, 2022, involved the discovery of a body found near the intersection of Palani Road and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona.
The victim, later identified as 63-year-old Brian Macaulay of Kailua-Kona, was transported to the Hilo Medical Center for official pronouncement of death and autopsy. The manner of death was determined to be a homicide and and cause of death was multiple stab wounds.
A second incident, reported on,, May 25, 2022, in Hilo, involved the assault of a 59-year-old man from Hilo who reported being stabbed by an unknown male party. The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
The third incident, reported on, May 30, 2022, also in Hilo, involved the assault of a 70-year-old Hilo woman who also reported being stabbed by an unknown individual. She was transported to the Hilo Medical Center where she was treated for her injuries.
The investigations were initiated by Kona and South Hilo Patrol, and the felony investigation was led by Detective Tyler Prokopec, Area II Criminal Investigation Section, and assisted by members of the Area I and Area II Criminal Investigation Sections, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.
“Today’s sentencing holds Chito Asuncion responsible for the pain and suffering that he inflicted and demonstrates our Office’s commitment to seek justice for victims and their families and do our part to protect our community,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “This would not be possible without the hard work and dedication of our police, prosecutors, victim advocates, and support staff.”
“While Asuncion thought little of the lives of Brian Macaulay, Boyd Maygra, Gary Nakagawa, or Alice Coleman, they mattered, they were loved, and they were valued by their family, their friends, and our community. Today’s sentence is a testament to that,” said Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
