Body identified, missing person case now a murder-suicide investigation

On Thursday afternoon, May 23, 2024, shortly before 4:00 p.m., members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division executed a search warrant on a residence located in the 15-2000 block of 15th Avenue in Kea’au, Hawaii, in connection with an ongoing missing person investigation concerning 38-year-old Ashley Michelle Kuregian.

Kuregian was reported missing by her boyfriend Matthew Adrian Poole on May 21, 2024, but she had reportedly not been seen for about a week.

When police officers arrived at the residence, they immediately made numerous announcements stating their identities and their intent to execute a search warrant. At that moment, a loud “pop” similar to a gunshot was heard from inside the residence. Police officers then set up a security perimeter and began checking the surrounding residences to ensure their safety.

Out of an abundance of caution, the department’s Special Operations Team and Crisis Negotiation Team were activated because it was believed an armed individual may have barricaded himself inside. When personnel later entered the apartment, they discovered the body of a dead male with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A firearm was also found.

Police have identified the deceased man as 38-year-old Matthew Adrian Poole of Kea’au. An autopsy was performed on Poole on May 24, 2024, and it was determined that he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

After securing the residence, police officers investigated the scene in connection with the investigation of the deceased male partner and the missing person. During the search of the residence, officers discovered information that led them to search the Orchidland Estates Subdivision for Kuregian’s body.

Later that evening, May 23, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m., members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division followed up on Kuregian’s leads and located a body that was in an advanced stage of decomposition. The human remains were found in a vacant lot in the 16-200 block of 36th Avenue in Kea’au, Hawaii.

Police secured the scene overnight and recovered the human remains at approximately 9:40 a.m. on Friday morning, May 24, 2024. An autopsy was performed on Friday afternoon; however, the medical examiner did not release a cause or manner of death pending further forensic examination and testing.

On May 31, 2024, a follow-up examination of Kuregian’s remains was conducted. It was determined that she died from a gunshot wound to the head and that her manner of death was homicide. Police have identified the human remains as those of Ashley Michelle Kuregian of Kea’au.

Area I Criminal Investigation Division personnel are continuing this investigation and are asking anyone with information regarding this incident to contact Detective Amy Omaya of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division at (808) 961-2381, via email at [email protected], or the police non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous can call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to protect their community. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to a caller ID service. All information held by Crime Stoppers is kept confidential.