### Context
Puna, a remote section of Hawaiʻi’s Big Island, is known for its off‑grid, communal lifestyle and lush volcanic soil. “The people live very sustainable ways of living, but it’s a quirky frontier,” said Ashley Kierkiewicz, a county council spokesperson.
Recent events have put this area on national radar.
### The Murders
Three men, all in their 70s, were found dead within a short distance of each other on Papaya Farms Road and nearby private property.
| Victim | Age | Where Discovered |
|--------|-----|----------------|
| Robert Shine | 69 | Partially submerged in a cement pond |
| Chitta Morse | 79 | A few hundred metres from Shine |
| John Carse | 69 | 19 mi (31 km) away |
Reports say the victims had no apparent connection beyond living in close proximity.
### Suspect – Jacob Baker
Baker, 36, was under arrest for suspected murder, burglary and other charges.
- A 24‑hour period had passed between Baker’s arrest and community questions on why he was singled out.
- Court records list more than twenty prior police encounters, mostly traffic infractions.
- Baker had previously lived off‑grid on Janelle Honer’s property, working as a coconut‑tree trimmer in exchange for shelter.
Baker’s neighbors warned of escalating tension. Two women had requested temporary restraining orders against him just days before the killings; a judge denied the applications.
### Surveillance Leads
Neighbors Mark Wyatt and Richard Valdez spotted Baker on their property via a security system.
> “The footage clearly showed him ducking past a traffic‑jammed road in an obvious attempt to avoid being seen,” said Valdez.
When Baker was seen in a small cave on a bluff near their farm, police moved in swiftly.
### Community Reaction
Friends of the victims — including drummer Donald Hyatt and raw‑food commune member Jezuz Cinderland — mourned the loss.
> “He was a permanent smile,” recalled Hyatt. “He bounced to drum circles every Sunday.”
>
> “Morse always had a fruit forest; he’d share every bounty with anyone,” Cinderland said.
A memorial service is scheduled at Honer’s property.
### Ongoing Investigation
Hawaii Police Chief Reed Mahuna stated investigators have yet to find direct links between the victims other than residential proximity.
Law enforcement continues to review Baker’s past interactions and estate of property disputes to determine motive.
The case underscores Puna’s struggles with drug use, poverty, and limited infrastructural support, as highlight by resident T. Edwards Hunt.
> “You can come to Hawaii and heal, but it’s also a place that can chew you up and spit you out.”
No known attorney is representing Baker.
The investigation remains open as authorities seek more evidence to confirm the role of Baker’s alleged harassment and property disputes in the murders.
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*Reporting by PulseWire News*
