No new updates in ‘suspicious’ death of 6-year-old boy

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KAILUA-KONA — No new information has been released regarding the investigation into the suspicious death of 6-year-old boy almost a week ago.

On Monday, Hawaii Police Maj. Robert Wagner said there were no updates on the case.

On Thursday, police reported they were investigating the boy’s death, which occurred on Wednesday, or Halloween. At approximately 4:30 p.m. Kona patrol officers responded to a call at the Kailua Fire Station where family members had taken the 6-year-old, who was unconscious at the time.

It was later learned he was reportedly involved in an incident at the La‘ilani Apartment complex on Manawalea Street in Kailua-Kona.

The boy was taken to Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 5:30 p.m.

Injuries suffered by the child were not consistent with an accident, according to authorities. Police have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. It is unknown when the results of the autopsy will be released.

Some neighborhood children said they knew the boy. He was a twin who attended Kealakehe Elementary School.

The state Department of Education provided a letter written by the school’s principal that was sent home on Thursday to the parents and guardians of their students.

“It saddens me to inform you of the recent passing of one of our students,” Kealakehe Elementary Principal Nancy Matsukawa wrote. “This loss has deeply affected our school community. On behalf of the entire Kealakehe Elementary ohana, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this student and to all of our staff.”

Matsukawa stated that counselors would be available to help students and school personnel.

“Together as a family, we will get through this difficult time,” she wrote.