Man arrested for three murders in Puna, Hawaii

A man has been arrested in connection with the killings of three men in a remote area of Hawaii's Big Island, an incident that has shaken the close-knit community of Puna. Jacob Baker, 36, was taken into custody last week and remains jailed on suspicion of murder, burglary, and other charges. Formal charges have not yet been filed by prosecutors.

The victims were identified as Robert Shine, 69, John Carse, 69, and a 79-year-old man friends identified as Chitta Morse. Police said Shine was found partially submerged in a cement pond, and Morse was discovered a few hundred feet away. Carse's body was located approximately 19 miles from the other two scenes. Authorities stated they have found no connection among the victims, other than the proximity of two of their residences.

Friends described Shine and Morse as longtime residents who were drawn to Puna decades ago for its off-grid, tropical lifestyle. Shine was known for his joyful presence at community drum circles, while Morse was recognized for his commitment to a raw-food diet and the abundant "fruit forest" he cultivated on his land. Both men were known to attend gatherings on a property owned by Janelle Honer, which appears...