Hawaii Police Hunt 36-Year-Old Jacob Baker in 3 Puna Killings
Updated
Updated · Big Island Now · May 28
Hawaii Police Hunt 36-Year-Old Jacob Baker in 3 Puna Killings
6 articles · Updated · Big Island Now · May 28
Three elderly men — ages 69, 79 and 69 — were found dead in separate Puna District homes over about 48 hours, and Hawaiʻi police say Jacob “Jake” Baker is the sole suspect.
Police said the first death, discovered Monday in a cement pond, was initially unclear until an autopsy ruled it a homicide; the second victim had blunt-force injuries, and a third was found 19 miles away Tuesday night.
Chief Reed Mahuna said Baker is believed to have acted alone, is considered armed and extremely dangerous, and could be anywhere on Hawaiʻi Island as the entire department searches for him.
Court filings show two women sought restraining orders against Baker four days before the first killing, alleging repeated death threats, but a judge denied both petitions for insufficient evidence.
Police still have no known motive or confirmed link among the victims, underscoring community fear in rural Pāhoa as authorities urge the public not to approach Baker and to call 911 with sightings.
A killer is loose and police are understaffed. Has this Hawaiian community been left to fend for itself?
With clear warnings ignored before a triple murder, is Hawaii's legal system broken?
Pāhoa Triple Homicide Manhunt: Community Fear, Systemic Failures, and Calls for Reform After May 2026 Killings
Overview
As of May 28, 2026, the manhunt for Jacob Daniel Baker, the sole suspect in the Pāhoa homicides, remains active, with the Hawaiʻi Island Police Department intensifying search efforts and seeking public help. Baker’s continued evasion has created widespread fear and anxiety in the local community, leaving residents unsettled as they await his capture. Authorities have provided multiple contact points for tips, emphasizing the importance of community involvement. The ongoing situation highlights both the immediate impact on residents and the urgent need for effective law enforcement response in the area.