KAILUA-KONA — Residents of Lailani Apartments have been watching their community a little more closely since the death of one of the neighborhood children last month.
On Thursday, residents were aware of new faces that came into the complex. During West Hawaii Today’s visit, the reporter and photographer were approached by two individuals, politely asking if they could help them with anything. The heightened awareness comes in the wake of the tragic death of a 6-year-old boy on Halloween.
At approximately 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31, family members took an unconscious 6-year-old boy to the Kailua Fire Station. He was later transported to Kona Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead one hour later.
The boy’s death is being investigated as a homicide.
Julian Nedlic has lived at Lailani for 12 years. On Thursday, he said this was the first time anything like this has happened on the property. Since the death of the boy, however, children still come around and play after school.
Nedlic said his children knew the 6-year-old. He recalled two months ago the boy taking a bag of rubbish out.
“It was too heavy for him and I helped him throw it out,” Nedlic recalled Thursday.
On Wednesday, Hawaii Police released autopsy results concluding the boy suffered trauma. However, authorities would not detail what type of trauma it was.
West Hawaii Today made attempts to contact the family where the boy was living on Thursday. There was no answer at the door.
“I want justice for that one,” Nedlic said. “I want more investigation on that case — I guess everybody does.”
Hawaii Police Maj. Robert Wagner said investigators have received a few tips from the community in connection with the case, however, he would not elaborate on what they were since it is under investigation.
The name of the victim has not yet been released. Since no one has been arrested, Wagner said, there is a suspect at large.