KAILUA-KONA — Authorities confirmed the cause of death of a 6-year-old boy in Kona “involved trauma.”
An autopsy was performed Tuesday on the child who was pronounced dead on Oct. 31 at Kona Community Hospital, police reported in a Wednesday press release.
“Autopsy results reveal the cause of death involved trauma. The manner of death is homicide,” state the Hawaii Police Department release. Authorities did not provide any additional details, such as the child’s name.
Kona patrol officers first responded at about 4:30 p.m. on Halloween to a call regarding the boy at the Kailua Fire Station, where family members took the 6-year-old who was unconscious at the time.
It was later learned he was reportedly involved in an incident at the Lailani Apartment complex on Manawalea Street in Kailua-Kona.
He was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m.
Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigation Division are continuing their investigation.
Police are seeking witnesses who were in the area of the apartment complex and might have witnessed a commotion. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Jerome Manuel at 326-4646, ext. 262, or Jerome.manuel@hawaiicounty.gov, or call the department’s nonemergency number at 935-3311.
Some neighborhood children said they knew the boy. He was a twin who attended Kealakehe Elementary School.
The state Department of Education provided a letter written by the school’s principal that was sent home Thursday to the parents and guardians of their students.
“It saddens me to inform you of the recent passing of one of our students,” wrote Kealakehe Elementary Principal Nancy Matsukawa. “This loss has deeply affected our school community. On behalf of the entire Kealakehe Elementary ohana, I would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this student and to all of our staff.”
Matsukawa stated counselors would be available to help students and school personnel.
“Together as a family, we will get through this difficult time,” she wrote.