Missing man now suspect in Kalapana murder

Missing man now suspect in Kalapana murder

Hawaii Police have identified a man who has been missing since Monday as someone wanted for questioning in connection with the alleged murder of 25-year-old Brittany-Jane Royal.

Royal, formerly of Tustin, Calif., had recently moved to the Big Island and had been staying in the Kalapana area, according to police. Her body was found caught up in a fishing line from a boat off the lower Puna shoreline early Tuesday morning.

An autopsy conducted Wednesday determined that Royal had been strangled, and her death was ruled a homicide.

On Friday, the Hawaii Police Department renewed its request for information about 22-year-old Boaz D. Johnson of Petersburg, Alaska, who last spoke to his family at noon on Monday.

Police said Johnson is wanted for questioning in connection with Royal’s death. The pair had reportedly been seen camping together before her death.

Johnson is described as Caucasian, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 145 pounds with short, brown hair and blue eyes. Police asked that anyone with information on his whereabouts contact Detective Fetuutuunai Amuimuia at 961-2278 or famuimuia@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.