Police investigate death of Ocean View man as murder

(BIVN) – Police are currently investigating the recent discovery of human remains in a lava field in Ocean View as a homicide.

The partially buried human remains were found on a vacant lot on Tiki Lane on July 2. Police identified the remains as those of 51-year-old Adam Santos, who was reported missing on June 30, 2024.

According to police, Santos was last seen on June 22, 2024, at his residence in Hawaii’s Ocean View Estate neighborhood.

From the Hawaii Police Department:

Acting on an anonymous tip related to Santos’ missing person investigation, officers went to a property adjacent to Santos’ residence where they discovered a makeshift burial site. Area II Criminal Investigation Department investigators also attended the scene and dug up the remains of a man later identified as Santos.

An autopsy was performed on July 11, and according to police, the medical examiner concluded that Santos’ death was the result of multiple blunt force trauma to his head.

Police said they had not yet found a motive for the murder and no suspects had been identified.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at (808) 960-3118 or via email at [email protected].