Hanalei Man Indicted for Murder

Published on January 17, 2025

Lihue – Prosecuting Attorney Rebecca Like announced that Michael John Sears, 43, of Hanalei, was indicted on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 for Murder in the Second Degree, Arson in the First Degree and Abuse of a Corpse. The Indictment alleges that Sears intentionally or knowingly caused the death of Paul Nicolas on January 12, 2024. It also alleges that Sears intentionally or knowingly set fire to or caused to be burned Paul Nicolas’ property without his consent causing damage in excess of $20,000. Finally, the Indictment alleges that Sears intentionally or knowingly treated a human corpse in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities.

According to police reports, at approximately 3:00 a.m. on Friday, January 12, 2024, firefighters responded to a report of a vehicle fire at Anahola Beach Park. After the fire was fully extinguished, police arrived on scene and discovered an unidentified body, later determined to be that of Paul Nicolas, located inside the vehicle.  Forensic examination of Nicolas’s remains revealed that he had been shot multiple times before he and his vehicle were set ablaze.

Sears has been in custody at Kauai Community Correctional Center on an unrelated Promoting a Dangerous Drug in the Second Degree charge since February 2, 2024.

Bail on the Indictment has been set at two million dollars.

The investigation was led by Kauai Police Department Detective Lucas Hamberg.

The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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