Kurtistown Man Indicted for Murdering Wife

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A 79-year-old Kurtistown man named Jong Man Kim has been indicted by a Kona grand jury in connection with the June 2024 death of his 71-year-old wife, Yong Cha Kim. According to police, Yong Cha Kim's lifeless body was found lying on the kitchen floor of their Mountain View residence on June 20, 2024. Kim was arrested on March 24, 2026 on a $1.5 million Indictment warrant and has been charged with second-degree murder, which carries a penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for thorough investigations into suspicious deaths, even those that may initially appear to be natural or accidental. The indictment of Jong Man Kim underscores the importance of prosecutors and law enforcement working together to hold perpetrators accountable, even years after a crime has been committed.

The details

According to the details provided, on June 20, 2024, the lifeless body of 71-year-old Yong Cha Kim was found lying on the kitchen floor of her Mountain View residence. After a lengthy investigation, her 79-year-old husband, Jong Man Kim, was arrested on March 24, 2026 and indicted by a Kona grand jury on a $1.5 million warrant. Kim has been charged with second-degree murder, which carries a penalty of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

• On June 20, 2024, the lifeless body of Yong Cha Kim was found.
• On March 24, 2026, Jong Man Kim was arrested on a $1.5 million Indictment warrant.
• On March 25, 2026, Kim made his initial Hilo Circuit appearance where his bail was maintained at $1.5 million.
• Kim is ordered to appear for jury trial on August 10, 2026.

What’s next

The judge will decide on August 10, 2026 whether to proceed with a jury trial for Jong Man Kim.