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Updated: Police renew efforts in murder of Puna woman

UPDATED MEDIA RELEASE (7/14/09)

Hilo detectives are renewing their request for information related to the murder of 21-year-old Kaycee M. Smith, who was found dead in her Orchidland Estates home in Puna on June 30.

Shortly before 9 a.m. on that date, Puna patrol officers were directed to the house by an acquaintance, who reported that she found the victim there with a suspected fatal gunshot wound.

An autopsy revealed that Smith died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The pathologist who performed the autopsy concluded that the manner of death was homicide.

Police are seeking any information that may be pertinent to the investigation. Among the information being sought are the victim’s activities a few days prior to her death and the identities of people with whom she was associated.

Police ask that anyone with any information about the case call Lieutenant Mitchell Kanehailua at 961-2252. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

MEDIA RELEASE (7/2/09)

Big Island police have reclassified an investigation into the death of a 21-year-old Puna woman from a coroner’s inquest to a murder. Earlier this week, the body of Kaycee M. Smith was found in her Orchidland Estates home, where she lived alone.

Tuesday morning at approximately 8:50 a.m., Puna patrol officers were directed to the victim’s home by an acquaintance, who reported that she found the victim there with a suspected fatal gunshot wound. Officers responded to the scene along with Fire/Rescue personnel, who found the victim deceased.

An autopsy performed Thursday morning (July 2) revealed that the woman died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The pathologist who performed the autopsy concluded that the manner of death was homicide.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Section are continuing this investigation.

Police ask that anyone with information about this case call Lieutenant Mitchell Kanehailua at 961-2252. Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

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