Suspect arrested in Puna fatal stabbing incident

Hawaii Island Police have arrested a Hilo man in connection with a stabbing incident in Puna.

Shortly after 7 p.m. Tuesday, Puna Patrol officers responded to several calls on Palainui Avenue in the Eden Roc subdivision, initially of a naked male in the area and later that he was reportedly blocking traffic.

When officers arrived in the area, they were directed to a residence that the male had been seen walking toward. Officers located the individual who was standing over the victim. The victim was lifeless and appeared to have been stabbed.

At 7:11 p.m. Jan. 7, 30-year-old Malcolm K. Utecht was arrested at the scene and taken to the Hilo cellblock while detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section continue the investigation that has been classified as second-degree murder.

The victim was transported to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:20 p.m. An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

The identity of the victim is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Anyone who may have information about this incident, or who may have seen Utecht in the area, is asked to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or Detective Frank Mohica of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2375 or Frank.Mohica@hawaiicounty.gov.