[ "HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Police Department officials announced that 36‑year‑old Jacob Daniel Baker has been charged with first‑ and second‑degree murder for the deaths of three men in Puna, a remote community known for its off‑grid, communal lifestyle.", "Baker was arrested in a two‑day manhunt on the Big Island and remains jailed without bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for Monday, although it is not yet clear whether the suspect has legal representation.", "The killings were discovered on Sunday night, two days after police apprehended Baker, who was suspected of foul play in the area. The investigation did not yet determine a motive; police have noted that the victims had no overt ties aside from proximity.", "The victims were identified as Robert Shine, 69, who was found partially submerged in a cement pond; 79‑year‑old Chitta Morse, found a few hundred feet from Shine; and 69‑year‑old John Carse, located about 19 miles (31 km) away on a separate property.", "In addition to murder counts, Baker faces burglary, auto theft, and criminal damage charges, with prosecutors warning that the case may unfold in future court proceedings.", "Bronte of the local Puna residents recalls the suspect’s earlier associations in the community. Stephen Shaffer, a resident, said Baker once worked for his ex‑wife, building coconut trees in exchange for lodging, but after months the wife sought a restraining order due to safety concerns. He felt threatened, Shaffer recalled.", "Donald Hyatt, a friend of Shaffer’s ex‑wife and of two of the deceased men, contended that Baker abandoned his cabin and returned claiming squatter’s rights while threatening the ex‑wife.", "Court records also show that Baker had previously filed for temporary restraining orders on two occasions, alleging harassment, though both motions were denied for lack of evidence.", "A review of the suspect’s legal history reveals forty‑two incidents over twenty years, many of them traffic infractions, where Baker often represented himself without counsel.", "The Puna community, a lush jungle of lava fields where off‑grid living is common, is reeling from the tragedy. Local residents report feelings of unease as they recast the community’s image of safety and solidarity.", "No link to broader environmental or sustainable energy initiatives was found in the case, but the tragedy underlines how climate‑inspired cohabitation can intersect with complex legal and social dynamics." ]