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Hawaii island police Thursday charged the suspect involved in Tuesday’s Puna murder investigation.
Malcolm K. Utecht, 30, of Hilo, has been charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, fourth-degree sexual assault and indecent exposure.
The victim has been identified as Solomon A.K.K.M. Matthews, of Eden Roc.
On Tuesday evening police responded to reports of a naked man blocking traffic in Puna, and arrested him in connection with a fatal stabbing.
At about 7 p.m., witnesses directed Puna patrol officers to a residence of the Eden Roc subdivision where Utecht was seen walking toward. Inside they found him standing over a male victim who appeared to have been stabbed.
Matthews was transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:20 p.m.
An autopsy performed this morning determined that Matthews died as a result of a stab wound to the neck, and the manner of death was a homicide.
Utecht is being held in lieu of $553,000 bail pending his initial court appearance scheduled for Friday in Hilo District Court.
Anyone with information about this incident, or who saw Utecht in the area, is asked to call the police department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Frank Mohica of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2375 or Frank.Mohica@hawaiicounty.gov.
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