For most people who knew Brian Macaulay, they knew him as a sweet and innocent man, who was quiet and kind-hearted. He was 63 years old and often sunburnt from living outside.
So when his body was found on May 17 behind the Kailua-Kona Post Office, community members were stunned.
“He was always so nice, he never caused a problem with anyone,” said Lelia Kanuha, general manager at the Kona Inn restaurant where Brian frequented. “He used to come in often. He was such a genuine person, we always made him feel welcome here. I’ve seen him off and on for at least 10 years.”
A local gas store manager agreed.
Donald Kihe, who oversees the Hele station on Palani Road, said Macaulay would stop in to buy stuff and “be on his merry way.”
“He was a good man, a happy man,” said Kihe.
Macaulay’s family described their loved one as a “kind guy who moved to Kona 25 years ago.”
“My brother didn’t deserve this,” said Bob Macaulay, Brian’s younger and only brother. “He had mental health issues in his mid 20s, he had mild schizophrenia.”
Macaulay said his brother preferred to sleep outdoors due the mental health issues.
“We tried to help him but he was a solitary guy who wanted to do his own thing. And for him to be murdered in that fashion has been tough,” Macaulay said.
The last time Macaulay saw his brother was in early May, shortly before his brother’s death.
“I was blessed to have seen him before he died,” he said.
Police late Wednesday announced the charging of a Kona man in connection with Macaulay’s death, as well as the stabbing death of another man in Kailua-Kona on Tuesday. Chito Asuncion is also accused of stabbing two Hilo residents in May.
The 24-year-old, who was arrested Tuesday, is charged with two counts second-degree murder, two counts attempted second-degree murder and one count first-degree murder. The first-degree murder was added because Asuncion is alleged to have killed more than one person.
After hearing of charges being filed in the death of Brian Macaulay, Bob Macaulay said “the family is so thankful, and thanks for the hard work of the Hawaii police and hopefully the person responsible for this is in custody.”
“Kudos. They didn’t throw a homeless guy under the bus,” Bob Macaulay said late Wednesday from the mainland. “Brian came from a really good family. Homelessness doesn’t discriminate. He was raised in a good family. Mental health is a tough thing. Hopefully they got the right guy.”