Hawai‘i Island police are renewing their request for information on a 2022 Puna murder.

On October 11, 2022, Puna patrol officers responded to a Mountain View residence after a caller reported going to check on the welfare of an acquaintance and discovering a foul odor coming from within the residence. Responding officers located the decomposing body on the floor of the off-grid residence.

On October 14, 2022, an autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist concluded that the victim, who was identified as 47-year-old James Paul Phelps of Mountain View, died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives are continuing this investigation, which is classified as second-degree murder. The motive behind the killing remains under investigation.

Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case to call Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua, of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, at (808) 961-2375, or via email at kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.