Suspect in Big Island shooting found dead
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai'i — A 33-year-old man who was wanted for questioning in a fatal shooting at a rural Upper Puna subdivision Sunday was found dead yesterday.
Big Island police said they found Nat Kalae Eckman with a gunshot wound to his head in a Hawaiian Acres home. He was taken to the Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said they believe Nat Kalae Eckman may have committed suicide.
Police said an autopsy will be performed today, but they believe Eckman may have committed suicide.
Eckman was wanted in connection with the murder of John C. McDonald, 62, Sunday evening. McDonald's 57-year-old wife, Doraline, was critically wounded in the shooting at the couple's Hawaiian Acres home.
Doraline McDonald was flown to The Queen's Medical Center in Honolulu for treatment of her wounds.
Police Capt. Samuel Thomas said authorities believe a small-caliber handgun was used in the shooting, which took place at about 8:10 p.m. at a Hawaiian Acres home on Road 1.
Thomas said the couple were acquainted with Eckman, but that investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the shooting.
Thomas said there is no indication that drugs were involved or that it was a robbery.
Anyone with information about this case should call the Hilo Criminal Investigation Division at (808) 961-2255 or Hilo CrimeStoppers at (808) 935-8300.
Staff writer Curtis Lum contributed to this report.
