Homicide investigation launched in case of dead man found in makeshift grave in Ocean View: Big Island Now

Hawaii Island Police have launched an investigation into the murder of Adam Santos. His body was found in an undeveloped lava field in Ocean View on July 2.

Santos was reported missing on June 30. He was last seen at his Ocean View home on June 22.

Acting on an anonymous tip, officers went to a property adjacent to Santos’ residence, where they discovered a makeshift grave. Investigators from the Hawaii Police Department’s Area II Criminal Investigation Division also arrived on the scene and dug up the body of a man later identified as Santos.

An autopsy was performed on the morning of July 11 and the medical examiner concluded that Santos’ death was caused by multiple blunt force trauma to his head.

Investigators have no motive for the murder and no suspects have been identified.

Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Donovan Kohara at 808-960-3118 or via email at [email protected].