Tyrone Vesperas

If convicted, 38-year-old Tyrone Vesperas faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Police said Vesperas was separated from his wife, Cheryl-Lyn Vesperas, 34, and the couple was in the process of divorcing. On Monday, the couple began to argue at the home on Paradise Drive in Ainaloa Estates in Puna. Police said the dispute escalated, and Cheryl-Lyn was stabbed repeatedly in the abdomen.

Police said the couple's 14-year-old son, Tyran Vesperas-Saniatan, tried to restrain his father, which allowed Cheryl-Lyn Vesperas to flee from the home in her car.

"At some point later during this struggle, Tyran received a wound to his neck area" that proved to be fatal because it struck his jugular vein, according to a police account released today on the incident and the autopsy findings. Tyrone Vesperas also received a stab wound to his leg.

Police said they were called to the home at 11:30 a.m. by someone who reported he had been stabbed, and also received a second call from Cheryl Vesperas who told police she had been wounded and had fled the home in her vehicle.

Officers found Tyrone Vesperas in the garage of the house, and immediately arrested him.

Tyran's lifeless body was found inside the home, and he was officially pronounced dead at Hilo Medical Center at 5:20 p.m., police said.

Police found Cheryl-Lyn Vesperas parked on the side of Highway 11 on the road from Kea'au to Hilo. Police said she was in the later stages of her pregnancy, and the fetus did not survive the stabbing.

Cheryl Vesperas was listed in stable condition at Hilo Medical Center yesterday.

Today, police charged Tyrone Vesperas with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder. If convicted, he faces a mandatory penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole for each charge.

To convict Vesperas of the more serious charge of attempted first-degree murder charge, prosecutors must prove he intentionally or knowingly attempted to cause the death of more than one person.