2 arrested after man’s remains found wrapped in plastic near a remote trail

MAUI, Hawaii — Two people have been arrested after a man was found wrapped in plastic in a remote area of Maui, police said.

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In a news release, the Maui Police Department said that just after 4:30 p.m. on July 5, Wailuku Patrol Officers were called out to a remote trail near Keanuhea Street in Kula about possible human remains. When officers arrived, hunters brought officers over to the area. It was later determined that they were human remains belonging to a 36-year-old man wrapped in plastic.

The victim was later identified as Jonathan Awai, according to Hawaii News Now.

Police said John Joseph Smith, 58, and Stacy Marie Smith, 48, were arrested on July 13. Both were charged with second-degree murder in connection with Awai’s death.

John Joseph Smith’s bail was set at $500,000 and Stacy Smith’s bail was set at $100,000, police said.

“The Maui Police Department appreciates the public’s patience in allowing the information to be provided to the public in a way that has not jeopardized the integrity of this ongoing investigation,” police said.

The relationship between the suspects and the victim is unclear. No information about a possible motive or what led up to the man’s death has been released.