KAILUA-KONA — Hawaii Island police arrested two suspects Monday for the 2018 murder of a 6-year-old boy on Halloween night.
Ashley Rose Nihipali, a 34-year-old woman, and Kuuipo Leinaala Nihipali, a 32-year-old woman, both of Hawaiian Paradise Park, turned themselves into the Hilo police station where they were arrested.
Police on Tuesday identified the victim as Mazen Kaniela Nihipali-Moniz, of Kailua-Kona. Prior to this week, police had declined to identify the boy citing department protocol.
At about 4:20 p.m. Oct. 31, 2018, Kona patrol officers responded to a call at the Kailua Fire Station involving a 6-year-old boy who was brought unconscious by a family member to the Kailua Fire Station.
Police responding to the fire station off Palani Road learned that the child was reportedly involved in an “incident” and been found unconscious at the Lailani Apartment complex on Manawalea Street. The affordable housing complex is located about a half-mile from Kealakehe Elementary and Intermediate schools.
Fire department medics transported the boy to Kona Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 5:30 p.m.
The child’s death was ruled a homicide after autopsy results revealed the cause of death involved trauma, police said a week after the incident.
Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section continued the investigation. With the assistance of the Hawaii County Prosecutor’s Office, charges were filed against the suspects via a grand jury indictment July 31.
Kuuipo Nihipali is facing one count second-degree murder; one count second-degree murder as principal and/or accomplice; six counts second-degree felony abuse of a family or household member as principal and/or accomplice; first-degree hindering prosecution as principal and/or accomplice; tampering with evidence as principal and/or accomplice; and two counts first-degree terroristic threatening as principal and/or accomplice.
Ashley Nihipali is facing one count second-degree murder as principal and/or accomplice; six counts second-degree felony abuse of a family or household member as principal and/or accomplice; first-degree hindering prosecution as principal and/or accomplice; tampering with evidence as principal and/or accomplice; and two counts first-degree terroristic threatening as principal and/or accomplice.
