LIHU‘E — Two people were arrested this week in connection with the suspicious death of a Kapa‘a man.
The Kaua‘i Police Department reported Tuesday that Karl Tondevold, 48, of Mitchell, Nebraska, was being held at the KPD cellblock, on a charge of murder in the second degree.
Kapa‘a woman Christy Selvage, 43, was also arrested on a charge of murder in the second degree, but has been released pending further investigation.
The arrests stem from a Feb. 24 incident, in which officers responded to a report of an unconscious man with multiple injuries near north Kealia Beach at around 10:30 p.m. The victim was treated on scene before being transported to Wilcox Medical Center, where he later died.
He was identified as 52-year-old John Diaz Jr. of Kapa‘a.
Police did not report that there was any connection between this incident and the homicide that occurred in Lawa‘i earlier this month. In that case, the main suspect was the victim’s son, whose body was later found in Koke‘e.
The Lawa‘i killing was the first homicide on island since February 2020.
KPD detectives are actively investigating this case. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact KPD dispatch at 808-241-1711.
People wishing to remain anonymous can provide information by calling Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i at 808-246-8300, submitting a tip at cskauai.org, or through the Crime Stoppers Kaua‘i P3 Tips Mobile App, available for download on Android and Apple mobile devices.
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Guthrie Scrimgeour, reporter, can be reached at 808-647-0329 or gscrimgeour@thegardenisland.com.
RIP John Diaz. I hope the law brings those involved in this tragic murder to justice. Bernard + Hue Linh. Your death has saddened us and our dear friends.