Hawaii Police Shift Gears, Investigate Farm Employee's Death


When the cops stumbled upon the lifeless body of Albert Harry Pacheco Sr. in his car at the Hawaiian banana farm where he worked, a murder wasn't their first thought. However, this week brought a surprising turn of events, as the Hawaii Police Department officially declared foul play in the death of the 68-year-old Hilo resident last December, based on findings from a forensic pathologist.

It all began on December 3, just before 5 p.m., when officers on the Big Island responded to a call about an unresponsive man in a car on a banana farm near the Alae Cemetery. Pacheco, an employee of the farm, was quickly identified by detectives. Initially, nothing hinted at murder, but on December 8, an autopsy report revealed a lone gunshot wound on the man's upper thigh, leading the police to reevaluate the case.

Over the past month, after interviewing individuals at the farm and neighboring properties, Hilo police have yet to identify a suspect. The investigation has now escalated to a second-degree murder probe. The name of the banana farm remains undisclosed at this time.

As of Wednesday, Law&Crime's request for comment from the Hawaii Police Department Criminal Division went unanswered. Anyone with information regarding Pacheco's alleged murder is urged to contact (808) 961-2386 or the nonemergency police number at (808) 935-3311.
 

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