MEDIA RELEASE

An autopsy conducted Tuesday (December 18) determined that the victim of a Puna murder, 54-year-old James V. Johns Sr. of Nanawale Estates, died of injury to the brain caused by blunt force trauma.

Johns’ body was found in his home Sunday.

The suspect, 36-year-old Jason Russell Jump of Pāhoa, remains in the Hilo police cellblock on suspicion of second-degree murder. Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation.

Police ask that anyone with information on this incident contact Detective Norbert Serrao at 961-2383 or nserrao@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.