KAILUA-KONA — A 29-year-old Kailua-Kona man was charged with murder late Sunday in connection with a body found last week off Highway 190 in North Kona.
Shortly before noon Saturday, Kona Patrol officers responded to a report of criminal property damage in progress in the Ooma subdivision in Kailua-Kona. Officers located 29-year-old Gafatasi Jorden Kaipo Napoleon of Kailua-Kona, who was also wanted on suspicion of murder for the shooting death of 36-year-old Alanaokala Solomon Covington, also of Kailua-Kona. His body was located Tuesday and recovered Wednesday. Police say it is likely the body was placed in a burial near mile marker 27
The Hawaii Police Department said Napoleon was arrested and taken to the Kona police cellblock while detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation.
At 9:55 p.m. Sunday, he was charged with second-degree murder, unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, promoting a dangerous drug and criminal property damage. His bail was set at $271,000.
He remained at the cellblock pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Monday.
Police are still investigating the case and ask anyone with any information to call the department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Jerome Manuel at 326-4646, ext. 262, or jerome.manuel@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.