No foul play suspected in Kīlauea man’s death

Published on February 21, 2024

Feb. 23, 2024 - Correction to below press release: Initial date of unattended death report was Tuesday, Feb. 13, not Monday, Feb. 12.

KĪLAUEA – On the evening of Monday, Feb. 12, police were dispatched to a residence in Kīlauea following the report of an unattended death, which led to the discovery of a man's body. The deceased was later identified as Jasper Gunsell, a 37-year-old resident of Kīlauea.

Initial observations at the scene indicated Gunsell had suffered extensive injuries consistent with an explosive event. An in-depth investigation ensued, culminating in an autopsy conducted on Tuesday, Feb. 20, which helped authorities piece together the circumstances surrounding Gunsell's demise. The findings from both the investigation and autopsy have led officials to conclude that foul play was not a factor in his death.

“KPD would especially like to thank our federal partners for their assistance in this investigation, as our joint mission in keeping our community safe is paramount,” said Assistant Chief Paul Applegate of the Investigative Services Bureau. “We’d also like to offer our sincere condolences and support to Mr. Gunsell’s family and friends.”

In light of the circumstances surrounding Gunsell's death, KPD would like to remind the public of the inherent dangers of creating and handling homemade explosives. Such activities are not only illegal under Hawai’i law but, as this tragic incident illustrates, they pose a severe risk to the individual involved and the wider community.

KPD also encourages the public to report any suspicious activity occurring in their neighborhood by calling KPD Dispatch at 808-241-1711. Those wishing to remain anonymous can provide information by calling Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi at 808-246-8300, submitting a tip at cskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kauaʻi P3 Tips Mobile App.

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