Hawaii triple homicide suspect found hiding in a cave
05/29/2026 1:05 pm PDT
HONOLULU (TCN) -- A 36-year-old man was arrested in connection with three homicides after an extensive manhunt that ended when authorities found him hiding in a cave.
According to a media release from the Hawai’i Police Department, a man resembling the suspect was seen on surveillance footage in a vacant lot. When authorities arrived at the lot, witnesses alleged they had seen the suspect ducking down each time traffic went by. Police viewed the surveillance footage and it showed the suspect, Jacob Baker, go onto an adjacent property.
Police found him there inside a small cave and apprehended him. He was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree burglary, first-degree unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle, first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle, fourth-degree criminal property damage, and theft, police announced at a press conference.
On May 25, the body of 69-year-old Robert Shine was found, and though there were initially no signs of foul play, an investigation revealed he had died of strangulation, according to police.
The following day, police found a deceased 79-year-old man with suspicious injuries, and, at another property, the body of 69-year-old John Carse, who was determined via autopsy to have died from sharp force trauma. Per police, the identity of the second victim has not been released because they are still working to notify the next of kin.
Police Chief Reed Mahuna did not clarify how it was determined that Baker was connected to the three homicides, KOMO reports.
According to court documents referenced by KOMO, two women had sought restraining orders against Baker shortly before the homicides; one of them alleged that he threatened her life. In addition, KOMO reports that court documents state Baker has appeared in approximately 20 cases over the past two decades.
The investigation is ongoing.
MORE:
Man wanted over 3 killings apprehended after an intense search of Hawaii’s Big Island (video) — The Associated Press
