Hawai‘i Island police have identified the badly decomposed body that was discovered at a Mountain View residence last week as 47-year-old James Paul Phelps.
On October 11, Puna patrol officers responded to a residence on Lehua Street, after a caller reported discovering a foul odor coming from within the residence after entering to check on the welfare of an acquaintance. Responding officers located the decomposing body on the floor of the off-grid residence.
On October 14, an autopsy revealed that the victim died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing the investigation, which is now classified as second-degree murder. At this time a suspect has not been identified, and the motive behind the killing is under investigation.
Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case to call Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2375, or via email at kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.
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