Police yesterday arrested a Nanakuli man for questioning in a homicide investigation into the beating death of a visitor from North Carolina.

The man, 21, was arrested at his home at 10 a.m. and booked for second-degree murder.

The Honolulu medical examiner's office yesterday identified the victim as Christopher Reuther, 34, of Chapel Hill, N.C. Reuther died at Hawaii Medical Center-East on April 24, two days after he was punched near the left ear at an undisclosed Wai'anae Coast beach park shortly before midnight.

An autopsy determined Reuther died of blunt force trauma to his head.

Police said Reuther arrived in Hawai'i on April 22, rented a car, attended a luau show and decided to camp at a beach park. While at the park with other campers, Reuther allegedly was punched without provocation, police said.

He was taken unconscious to Hawaii Medical Center-West and later transferred to HMC-East.

The Nanakuli man was identified through investigation.

Reuther may be the third visitor killed on O'ahu this year. In February, Ted Jandura of Canada allegedly stabbed his wife to death. Kirk Lankford was charged last weekend with the murder of Masumi Watanabe, 21, of Japan, although her body has not been found.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.