Hawai‘i Island police have forwarded a 2020 Puna murder investigation to the Hawai‘i County Prosecutor’s office for their review.

The incident left 49-year-old Sean Nephi Kuhia, of Mountain View, dead.  Kuhia’s body was discovered on August 17, 2020, in Puna after patrol officers responded to a report from a local resident of a body located on an unpaved roadway in the Eden Roc subdivision.

Kuhia was last seen on August 16, 2020, on Leila Road in Fern Forest.

Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene and assumed the murder investigation.

On August 18, 2020, an autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist concluded that Kuhia died as a result of multiple blunt force injuries. The manner of death was ruled homicide.

Over the last year, investigators have conducted countless interviews and follow-ups, and sent items of evidence to a laboratory for forensic testing. This ultimately led to the identification of potential suspects in this case.

On January 15, 2021, 41-year-old Tony Lee Moorehead of Mountain View, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder in connection to Kuhia’s death; however, after conferring with County Prosecutors at the time, he was released pending further investigation and additional forensic testing.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to contact Area I Criminal Investigation Section Lieutenant Rio Amon-Wilkins at (808) 961-2252 or email him at Rio.Amon-Wilkins@hawaiicounty.gov.