34-year-old Jimmy Kaneala Clifford Carmichael of Hilo was identified as the victim who died following an incident at the Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal last week.
During a recent autopsy, the forensic pathologist ruled that Carmichael had no serious skull or brain injuries as a result of the assault; however, there was evidence of an acute cardiac event prior to his death. The cause and manner of death is pending standard toxicology testing.On January 16, Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i County Fire Department personnel responded to a report of an unresponsive male fronting the Mo‘oheau Bus Terminal. Officers began CPR on Carmichael, who had reportedly been assaulted minutes earlier. He was then transported via ambulance to the Hilo Medical Center Emergency Room and was later pronounced dead.
Numerous witnesses reported that Carmichael was involved in an earlier altercation with a 34-year-old female acquaintance near the homeless encampment along the fence line separating the Mo‘oheau parking lot and Bayfront Highway. Following the altercation, Carmichael was also reportedly involved in a physical brawl with several men. Following the fight, he reportedly retrieved some of his belongings from a tent and rode away on his skateboard to the front of the bus terminal, where he sat on a bench. Shortly afterwards he was seen falling forward and hitting his head on the ground.Police detectives reviewed area video surveillance and are working on interviewing individuals who were involved in the altercation with Carmichael.kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.
At this time, there have been no arrests in this case. Police ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident to call Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2375 or via email at