Hawaii Island police have forwarded a 2020 Puna murder investigation to the Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The incident left 49-year-old Sean Nephi Kuhia, of Mountain View, dead.
Hawaii Island police have forwarded a 2020 Puna murder investigation to the Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office for review. The incident left 49-year-old Sean Nephi Kuhia, of Mountain View, dead.
Kuhia’s body was discovered on the morning of Aug. 17, 2020, in a remote area in Puna after patrol officers responded to a report from a local resident of a body located on an unpaved roadway in the Eden Roc subdivision, according to the Hawaii Police Departmetn.
Kuhia had last been seen during the late evening hours of Aug. 16, 2020, on Leila Road in Fern Forest.
On Aug. 18, 2020, an autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist concluded that Kuhia died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries. The manner of death was ruled homicide.
During the course of the last year, investigators conducted countless interviews and follow-ups, and sent items of evidence to a laboratory for forensic testing. This ultimately led to the identification of potential suspects in this case.
On Jan. 15, 41-year-old Tony Lee Moorehead of Mountain View, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection to Kuhia’s death; however, after conferring with prosecutors at the time, he was released pending further investigation and additional forensic testing.
Anyone with information about this case should contact Area I Criminal Investigation Section Lt. Rio Amon-Wilkins at (808) 961-2252 or email him at Rio.Amon-Wilkins@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. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
