Timeline of the Killings

The tragic events unfolded over a brief period in Pāhoa, a town on the island’s eastern side. The first victim, Robert Shine, 69, was found Monday evening partially submerged in a cement pond at a residence off Railroad Avenue. Initially, investigators were uncertain if the death was due to a medical emergency or foul play. An autopsy later revealed that Shine died from strangulation.

Just after 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, officers discovered a second victim, a 79-year-old man, at a home off Papaya Farms Road. This location was only 400 to 500 feet from Shine’s residence. The 79-year-old appeared to have been killed by blunt force trauma. Later that evening, just before 10 p.m., police responding to a welfare check found the third victim, John Carse, also 69, at a property on Kalapana Kapoho Beach Road, roughly 19 miles away. An autopsy on Carse indicated he died from sharp force trauma.

While police stated there was no known connection between the victims other than the proximity of the first two residences, they noted that the second body discovered was likely the first victim chronologically. The identity of the third victim, a 79-year-old man, has been confirmed but his name is being withheld pending family notification.

Prior Warnings and Restraining Orders

Days before the bodies were discovered, Baker had faced legal scrutiny. Two women sought temporary restraining orders against him on the Friday preceding the killings. One petition was filed by the owner of Josanna’s Organic Garden, a tropical organic farm located on Papaya Farms Road, where one of the bodies was later found. She alleged that Baker threatened her life and the lives of others, including a disabled man, and intended to squat on the property.

The farm owner wrote in her filing, "I don’t feel safe. He will enter our property and take items, threaten us, says he wants to squat there." A friend of the farm owner also filed a request, stating she left the property because she felt intimidated and unsafe due to Baker’s threats. Both restraining order petitions were denied on Tuesday, the same day two of the victims were found. A judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to establish probable cause for harassment under Hawaii law.

Police were not notified of the applications for restraining orders until later. Chief Mahuna indicated that the last verified call involving Baker received by police was in March, raising questions about the gap between the restraining order filings and the police response. Police are currently investigating why the applications were filed and why they were not immediately acted upon by law enforcement.

Impact on the Community

The killings have deeply impacted the community, with police increasing patrols to address the fear and concern among residents. Robert Shine’s daughter, Anon Shine, described her shock and grief, recalling her father as a farmer who studied biodynamic and Korean natural farming. She shared that she was hosting a birthday gathering when she first learned of the news, initially disbelieving the report until neighbors confirmed the tragedy.

Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda described the arrest as an important step toward justice and healing for everyone. As the investigation continues, officials are focusing on understanding the connections between the victims and the suspect’s actions. The case has highlighted the urgent need for community safety and the complexities of responding to prior legal warnings.

Local Law Enforcement Response to Community Safety Concerns

The arrest of Jacob Daniel Baker in the Hawaii Big Island triple murders marks a significant development in a case defined by rapid violence and delayed institutional response. The sequence of events, from denied restraining orders to the discovery of three bodies within 48 hours, underscores the critical importance of timely police intervention in domestic and community threat situations. As investigations into the efficacy of the prior restraining order processes continue, the community will likely demand stricter protocols for acting on civil harassment petitions. The heightened security presence in Pāhoa suggests a prolonged period of vigilance, with residents calling for systemic changes to prevent similar tragedies where warning signs are ignored until catastrophe strikes.