Boaz Johnson listed as suspect in death of Brittany Jane Royal, reward offered to find the missing man
The Hawaii police are now listing Boaz David Johnson as a suspect in the death of his girlfriend Brittany Jane Royal.
Boaz Johnson is still missing. Police are seeking Johnson after they discover the body of his girlfriend
A new press release from Wednesday states that “follows-ups conducted in this investigation” point the investigation towards Johnson and they suspect that the missing man may still be in the area.
Early May 28 a body was caught in a fishing line and the fingerprints identified the body as Royal, age 22. Early reports and statements by police hinted at Johnson being a “suspect” in the case, but since he was still missing, there were confusing statements made to The Dispatch backpedaling on this stance.
The families are reported that the couple seemed very happy, were seeking a place to live together following the news of Royal’s pregnancy.
Johnson has not been seen or heard from since May 27.
A reward for tips is also being made available.
Press release below:
Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating the 22-year-old former boyfriend of a 25-year-old woman whose body was found in waters off the Kalapana coast on May 28. After the completion of additional follows-ups conducted in this investigation, Boaz David Johnson is now considered the suspect in the murder investigation. He may still be on the island.
Johnson is described as Caucasian, about 5-foot-7, about 150 pounds with a slim build and a fair complexion. He was last seen unshaven and with medium-length brown hair. He also has a tattoo of a upper body of a horse near the right side of his abdomen. He is considered dangerous.
On May 28 at about 6:28 a.m., police received a report that a body was caught in a fishing line from a nearby boat. With the assistance of a Hawaiʻi Fire Department helicopter, the body was retrieved from the ocean and taken to a nearby landing zone, where detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section responded and continued the investigation.
The body was identified through fingerprints as Brittany Jane Royal. The medical examiner ruled that she died as the result of strangulation.
Detectives continue to actively pursue leads in this investigation. Police ask that anyone with information on Johnson’s whereabouts contact Detective Robert Almeida at 808-961-2386 or [email protected], Detective Fetuutuunai Amuimuia at 808-961-2278 or [email protected], or Lieutenant Gregory Esteban at 808-961-2252 or[email protected].
Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.
[…] have given mixed messages on whether Johnson is or was a suspect during the investigation, but announced he was officially a suspect in early […]