MEDIA RELEASE

Police are investigating a fatal stabbing in Puna that occurred Wednesday (Aug. 21).

At 10:44 p.m., police and Fire Department personnel responded to a reported stabbing at a residence on Kawakawa Street in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision.

Upon arrival, police found a 42-year-old man with stab wounds. Fire Department personnel took him to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m.

His name is being withheld pending notification of his family.

At the scene, police arrested 27-year-old Manaolanalani Benford of Pahoa on suspicion of second-degree murder.

At 8:30 p.m. Friday, after conferring with prosecutors, detectives released Benford pending further investigation.

UPDATED (8/29/2013 at 10:0 AM)

Detectives have released a 27-year-old Puna woman who was arrested Wednesday night in connection with a fatal stabbing in Hawaiian Beaches.

At 8:30 p.m. Friday, after conferring with prosecutors, detectives released Manaolanalani Benford of Pāhoa pending further investigation.