Hawai‘i Island police detectives are continuing a homicide investigation following a domestic-related incident in Puna on Friday afternoon, April 28, 2023, that left a 58-year-old woman dead.
The suspect, 52-year-old Christopher Roy Howlind, remains hospitalized in intensive care. Due to his condition, he has not yet been charged.
An autopsy has been scheduled for Tuesday morning, May 2, to determine the victim’s exact cause of death.
The victim’s identity is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
Shortly after 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2023, Puna patrol officers responded to an unknown-type disturbance at a residence located on 38th Avenue in the Orchidland Estates subdivision of Puna.
Responding officers immediately located a man, later identified as Howlind, who appeared to be in need of medical assistance. He had visible injuries to his hands, and his clothes were bloodied. Officers observed a large sword covered in blood next to the man. Officers immediately summoned medical assistance for him.
While officers were awaiting the ambulance, they located the victim’s lifeless body with severe knife wounds to her neck, upper body, arms and hands. Howlind was then arrested for murder.
While Howlind was being transported to the Hilo Cellblock, he began vomiting and became unresponsive. He was immediately taken to the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room, and later admitted. It is believed he ingested some type of chemical liquid prior to police arriving on scene.
Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene to continue this investigation, which remains classified as a second-degree murder.
Police ask anyone who may have information related to this incident to contact the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Detective Clarence Davies of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2382 or email him at Clarence.Davies@hawaiicounty.gov.