The three victims — a 69-year-old man found partially submerged in a cement pond, a 79-year-old man found just a few hundred feet away, and a third 69-year-old man whose body was discovered about 19 miles from the others — died in a violent incident that has shaken Puna, a sprawling region of lava fields and jungle on the eastern tip of the Big Island. Puna is known for its off-grid living; many residents prize self-sufficiency and a free-spirited lifestyle, and the three men were known for embracing that ethic, the Associated Press reported.
Jacob Baker, 36, was taken into custody on Thursday after what authorities described as an intense search involving local and federal law enforcement. He remained in jail Saturday on suspicion of murder, burglary and other charges, the AP said. As of Friday, prosecutors had not yet filed charges.
Residents told the AP that in the days before the killings, Baker had become increasingly threatening. Court records show he had repeated run-ins with police for a variety of offenses, the wire service said.
Nearly 24 hours after the arrest, neighbors were still grappling with what had happened and why authorities had zeroed in on Baker. The killings have left the tight-knit community rattled.