Update to Kona Tourist Altercation, Victims Name and Cause of Death Released

Earlier today Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that early Monday morning, March 29, 2021, shortly after 2:09 a.m. Hawai`i County Police responded to a 911 report of an unresponsive male at a vacation rental at the Kona Mansions Condominiums, located at 75-5873 Walua Road in Kailua Kona. It was later determined that a physical altercation took place amongst roommates. The unresponsive male was later transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The victim has been identified as a 30-year-old, Abhishek Gupta also of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Gupta and two other men were visiting Hawai`i Island on vacation. 31-year-old Alexander Germany-Wald of Boston, Massachusetts, and 37-year-old Benjamin Fleming of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen announced that 37-year-old Benjamin Fleming of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was charged with Manslaughter in relation to the death of 30-year-old, Abhishek Gupta also of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Fleming remains in custody in lieu of $250,000.00 bail. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance today in Kona District Court. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.

31-year-old Alexander Germany-Wald of Boston, Massachusetts was also arrested but was later released. Fleming remains in custody in lieu of $250,000.00 bail. He is scheduled to make his initial appearance today in Kona District Court. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chase Murray.

An autopsy was performed yesterday afternoon, Tuesday, March 30, and found the cause of death to be strangulation and the manner of death to be a homicide.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the charges, Fleming faces a possibility of a twenty-year prison term.

The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains committed to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Tyler Prokopec at (808) 326-4646 Ext. 224, or via email at tyler.prokopec@hawaiicounty.gov.