Honolulu Star-Advertiser update

Author:

“3 victims identified in Puna as manhunt for suspect continues.”

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Accessed on 28 May 2026, 2342 UTC.

URL–https://www.staradvertiser.com/2026/05/28/breaking-news/3-victims-identified-in-puna-as-manhunt-for-suspect-continues/

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Russ Roberts (https://hawaiinewsjournal.com).

Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, May 28, 2026 81°Today’s Paper


3 victims identified in Puna homicides as manhunt for suspect continues

COURTESY GOFUNDME
                                Bob Shine, identified as one of the victims in a series of homicides in Puna, is seen in this undated photo.

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COURTESY GOFUNDME

Bob Shine, identified as one of the victims in a series of homicides in Puna, is seen in this undated photo.

COURTESY GOFUNDME
                                Bob Shine, identified as one of the victims in a series of homicides in Puna, is seen in this undated photo.
COURTESY HAWAII POLICE
                                These undated photos from the Hawaii Police Department show suspect Jacob Daniel Baker.

Hawaii County police say they are continuing to actively search for 36-year-old murder suspect Jacob Daniel Baker, with the help of federal and state resources.

All three victims in the Puna homicides have been identified by police, family and community members.

The first victim, Robert “Bob” Shine, 69, was found dead 8:47 p.m. Monday in the 14-000 block of Papaya Farms Road.

An autopsy revealed Shine died of strangulation. A final ruling is pending standard toxicology results, police said. A GoFundMe page Opens in a new tab has been created for the Shine family.

The second victim has been identified by friends as 79-year-old Chitta Morse.

He was found in a home in the 14-300 block of Papaya Farms Road with suspicious injuries.

 

The third victim was identified today as John Carse of Pahoa.

He was found at a residence in the 12-7800 block of Kalapana Kapoho Beach Road.

An autopsy revealed Carse died of sharp-force trauma.

Hawaii County Police Chief Reed Mahuna said, “Every law enforcement agency in the state has reached out and offered support.”

The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Marshals Service, along with the state Department of Law Enforcement’s Sheriff Division and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement are assisting police in their search for Baker.

Anyone with information on Baker’s whereabouts is asked to contact Detective Duane Rapoza at 808-961-2383 or email at Duane.Rapoza@hawaiipolice.gov, or Detective Daniel Tam at 808-961-2380 or email Daniel.Tam@hawaiipolice.gov

Or call the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935—3311.

Anonymous tips may be made to CrimeStoppers at 808-961-8300.

 


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