UPDATE: Maui Murder Suspect Held on $1M Bail in Death of Mother

Keoni Vinuya Tomas. Photo courtesy Maui Police.

By Maui Now Staff

Maui police formally charged a Kahului man today in connection with the alleged stabbing death of his mother at a Makaliʻi Street home on Monday.

Police say Keoni Vinuya Tomas, 25, was charged with second degree murder.  The charges were filed at around 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, and stem from the investigation into the death of Kimberly Vinuya, 43, of Kahului.

Tomas was being held in lieu of $1 million bail at last report.

Tomas was also arrested earlier this year in connection with the death of Gail Otsuka of Kahului.

Tomas was arrested on January 2, 2015, for his alleged connection to that death and was released pending further investigation.

Further Details Released in Otsuka Homicide Investigation:

Police say the victim in the Jan. 2, 2015 incident, Gail Otsuka, was found alone within a Molokaʻi Akau Street residence in Kahului.

Maui police released further information today saying detectives on scene during the Jan. 2, incident interviewed individuals that led them to Keoni V. Tomas.

Police say Tomas was brought to the station for questioning; however, he asked for a lawyer. Police say detectives noticed cuts on his hands, at which time he was arrested for on suspicion of second degree murder.

After conferring with the Prosecutor’s Office, police say it was determined that the department would release Tomas pending further investigation.

Evidence recovered from the scene was sent to Oʻahu for DNA analysis. Police say the results of the DNA analysis is still pending and an investigation into the case is still ongoing.