Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

A Washington state man charged with killing his girlfriend this week at a Kohala Coast resort will appear Tuesday in court to determine whether he will be granted bail.

Howard Zimmerman, 46, of Bellevue, is scheduled in court in Waimea, where prosecutors are expected to ask the judge that he be denied bail. His current bail is $350,000.

Zimmerman made his initial court appearance Thursday to face a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Susan Brockert, 44, also of Bellevue.

He also is charged with kidnapping, first-degree terroristic threatening and second-degree criminal property damage.

Zimmerman and Brockert, a mother of two, were staying at The Fairmont Orchid when guests reported hearing screams coming from the room late Monday (May 23).

Resort security staff responded, and according to police reports, one of the employees witnessed Zimmerman strike Brockert on the head with an object.

Employees detained Zimmerman until police officers arrived.

Emergency crews transported Brockert to North Hawaii Community Hospital, where she was pronounced dead early Tuesday.

Autopsy results are expected soon detailing the exact cause of Brockert’s death.

UPDATED FROM POLICE (5/27/11 at 11:03 a.m.)

An autopsy conducted Friday morning (May 27) on the body of Susan Brockert determined she died from multiple blunt force and sharp force trauma to the head and neck.