Man who died after Hilo stabbing is identified

Hawaii County police have identified the victim of a fatal stabbing in Hilo on Tuesday as 43-year-old Brian Whetten, who had no permanent address.

Whetten was was found injured in a drug store parking lot off Kilauea Avenue shortly before 4 p.m. Tuesday, police said.

Police said they learned he had been confronted by two men while in the grassy area between a business off Kilauea Avenue and the mauka soccer fields off Kamehameha Avenue.

After being stabbed, he managed to walk to the parking lot. He died later at Hilo Medical Center.

An autopsy is scheduled for Friday to determine the cause of death.

Detectives continue to follow up on leads and ask anyone with any information about the incident to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Clarence Davies at 961-2384 or cdavies@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Norbert Serrao Jr. at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call CrimeStoppers at 961-8300.