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Big Island man accused of killing, burying wife in 2008 arrested

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  • COURTESY HAWAII COUNTY POLICE
    Police arrested a 44-year-old Alexander Gambsky, of Puna, in connection with a Grand Jury indictment for the murder of his wife.

Hawaii County police arrested a 44-year-old man Thursday for allegedly murdering his 34-year-old wife in 2008.

Alexander Gambsky was indicted by a Hilo grand jury in the murder of Dawn Gambsky, who was reported missing in July 2008. He was arrested 4 p.m. Thursday in Kurtistown.

Police served a search warrant on Aug. 8, 2008, at  Gambsky’s property on 37th Avenue in Orchidland Estates where they believed he might have buried his wife’s body.

The site was excavated and detectives unearthed the woman’s skeletal remains.

An Aug. 12, 2008, autopsy revealed traumatic injuries were present, and found no indication the woman died of natural causes.

She was identified through dental records as Dawn K. Gambsky, also known as Dawn K. Mancilla.

Detectives reclassified the case May 2009 to murder from a coroner’s inquest and forwarded their findings to prosecutors.

A Hilo grand jury indicted Gambsky Wednesday on one count of second-degree murder.

Police received a warrant Thursday and arrested Gambsky at his home.

His bail was set at $1 million.

Police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Wendall Carter at 961-2378 or wcarter @co.hawaii.hi.us. Anonymous calls may be made to CrimeStoppers at 961-8300 or 329-8181.

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