HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR102919ManarrestedinconnectionwiththemurderofLihuemanTHE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
mqa MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
C OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: October 29, 2019
KAUA`I POLICE DEPARTMENT
TODD G. RAYBUCK, CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-1600
Fax (808) 241-1604
Man arrested in connection with the murder of Lihu`e man
LTHUE — A Puhi man was arrested Monday night after he allegedly assaulted a man
who later died from his injuries.
Kulueti Taulanga, age 27, of Puhi, is being held in police custody on suspicion of
second-degree Murder and first degree Robbery. His bail is set at $600,000.
According to a preliminary investigation, Taulanga met with a 56-year-old LThu`e man
shortly before 7:50 a.m. Saturday at Puhi Park. Soon after, nearby witnesses found the man
with severe injuries to his head, and called 911.
Responding medics transported the victim, identified as Leonard Guttman, to Wilcox
Hospital in critical condition. Guttman was later medevaced to Queen's Hospital on Oahu,
where he died from his injuries Sunday evening.
night.
Police initiated a homicide investigation, which led to the arrest of Taulanga on Monday
The investigation of this incident remains ongoing.
Anyone with information on this incident is urged to call Captain Paul Applegate at 241-
1696 or Police Dispatch at 241-1711. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime
Stoppers Kauai at 246-8300.
Kulueti Taulanga, age 27, of Puhi