$10,000 reward offered for tips in Hilo cold case murder

HILO, BIG ISLAND (HawaiiNewsNow) - Federal agents are seeking the public's help in solving the 2005 murder of Arman B. Johnson and are announcing a new reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of his killer.

On April 13, 2005, the body of Johnson, age 44, was found within the boundaries of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Hilo side of Hawaii's Big Island. At the time the body was found, Johnson was wearing a tank-top shirt, swim shorts, socks and slipper sandals. Autopsy reports found that he died from a single gunshot wound to the upper-back/neck fired from a handgun.

Johnson's body was found by a passerby on the southern edge of Volcanoes National Park near the 71-mile marker of Mamalahoa Highway, about 100 yards from the edge of the road, in the area of Kahuku Ranch.

FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Paul D. Delacourt said, "A decade has passed since the murder of Arman Johnson. We are hoping that the passage of time may embolden a witness to come forward and tell us the truth about how and why this tragic act of violence occurred."

Johnson relocated to Hawaii from Seattle in 1984 and lived on both the Kona and Hilo sides of the island. He had a bachelor's degree in sports medicine and worked as a massage therapist at local resorts. During his time in Hawaii, Johnson also hosted a reggae music show on local radio. The motive for his execution-style murder remains unknown.

A reward of up to $10,000 will be issued for anyone who can provide information leading to the conviction of his killer. Tips can be called into the Honolulu FBI at 808-566-4300.

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