MEDIA RELEASE

Police have opened a murder investigation following the discovery of a body in Puna.

Sunday (December 16) at about 5:08 p.m., police responded to a call of a male victim with an apparent head injury in the Nanawale Estates subdivision. Officers discovered the deceased victim in his residence and secured the scene for detectives.

Police have not released the identity of the victim pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation, which is classified as a second-degree murder.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning (December 17) to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident contact Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

UPDATED (12/17/2012 at 9:48 AM)

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a 36-year-old Puna man wanted for questioning following the discovery of a body in a residence in Nanawale Estates.

Jason Russell Jump is described as an African American, about 6-foot-1 to 6-foot-2 with brown eyes, shoulder-length black dreadlocks, and a tattoo saying “Jesus” across his forehead.

Detectives would like to speak with Jump in connection with this incident.

Police have not released the identity of the victim pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation, which is classified as a second-degree murder, and have not identified Jump as a suspect at this time.

An autopsy is scheduled for Monday morning (December 17) to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask that anyone with information on this incident contact Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.