Man Dead in Apparent Waiehu Arson-Suicide

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Waiehu house fire. Photos by Lesley Cummings and Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

***Video courtesy Lesley Cummings

An arson suicide investigation has been launched into the death of a man whose charred remains were found in a house fire at the Oceanview Estates in Waiehu this morning, police tell Maui Now.

Police say that in addition to the man’s body, police also found three deceased canines in the home, located at 1364 Kakae Place.

Wailuku Patrol Officers responded to a possible abuse in progress case at the home at 6:19 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, said Maui Police Lt. Jayson Rego with the Department’s Criminal Investigation Division.

At around 11:30 a.m., fire and police investigators remained on scene. Police were seen loading several bags into the back of an animal rescue truck. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Upon arrival, police say the officers were advised that the 52-year-old homeowner had set his house on fire and had fired gunshots within the home.

“Officers observed the rear of the residence to be engulfed in flames and did hear several gunshots from within,” said Lt. Rego.

According to Lt. Rego, personnel from the Maui Fire Department doused the fire and later located the charred remains of the man, along with the three deceased canines.  One injured canine was turned over to a local animal rescue company for treatment, according to Maui police.

“The charred remains are believed to be that of the 52-year-old homeowner, who has not been positively identified at this time,” said Lt. Rego, who noted that no other human victims were found in the home.

The Kakae Place home of the deceased prior to the fire. (Modified Google image.)

Police say the investigation is still in its beginning stages due to the time it took to douse the flames and the amount of debris from the fire. “Investigators are presently sifting through the remains of the residence for evidence and indicators as to the cause of the fire and if accelerants were used,” said Lt. Rego.

***Additional information, video, and photos from the initial investigation are posted here.

Police arson/suicide investigation into Waiehu home fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Police arson/suicide investigation into Waiehu home fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Police arson/suicide investigation into Waiehu home fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Police arson/suicide investigation into Waiehu home fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Police arson/suicide investigation into Waiehu home fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.

Police arson/suicide investigation into Waiehu home fire. Photo by Wendy Osher.