The FBI on Wednesday announced a $10,000 reward for information on a 10-year-old cold case leading to the conviction of the killer in the execution-style slaying of a 44-year-old man found in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park in 2005.
An autopsy showed Arman B. Johnson died of a single gunshot would to the upper-back/neck fired from a handgun, the FBI said.
On April 13, 2005, a passerby found his body near the 71-mile marker of Mamalahoa Highway, about 100 yards from the edge of the road, near Kahuku Ranch on the southern edge of the park, according to the FBI. Johnson was wearing a tank-top shirt, swim shorts, socks and slippers.
The FBI said Johnson relocated to Hawaii island from Seattle in 1984, and lived on both the Kona and Hilo sides of the island. He had a bachelor’s degree in sports medicine and worked as a massage therapist at local resorts. During his time in Hawaii, Johnson also hosted a reggae music show on a local radio station.
FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Paul D. Delacourt said: "A decade has passed since the murder of Arman Johnson. We are hoping that the passage of time may embolden a witness to come forward and tell us the truth about how and why this tragic act of violence occurred."
Tips can be called in to the Honolulu FBI at 566-4300.
Former University of Hawaii-Hilo basketball coach Jimmy Yagi recalled that Johnson even learned enough hula that he was able to dance at the graduation ceremonies back then for Yagi’s son, Kirby.
Another person who remembered Johnson was state Sen. Willie Espero, who recalled that Johnson was a member of the Hawaiian Club, unusual then for a person who was not from Hawaii.
After police were notified about the discovery of the body, the case was turned over to national park law enforcement officers, who called the FBI because the body was found on federal property.
