Matthew Joel Peak

In the lush, sacred beauty of Waipiʻo Valley on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi, Matthew Joel Peak had made his home. At 22 years old, he was known to be a resident of the remote and historically significant valley. Remembered as a free spirit, Matthew was a familiar sight in the area, often relying on hitchhiking to get around. His travels frequently took him to the nearby communities of Hilo and Puna, where he also had connections and was a known presence.

The tranquility of the valley was shattered on the afternoon of June 1, 1999. At approximately 2:47 p.m., a group of beachgoers made a horrifying discovery near the shoreline. Partially buried in the sand was a human body. The Hawaiʻi Police Department was called to the scene, where they found the remains in an advanced state of decomposition, a testament to the time that had passed since the person’s death. The body was carefully recovered and transported to the Hilo Medical Center for a thorough examination.

An autopsy soon confirmed the grim nature of the discovery. The victim was a male who had not died of natural causes; the cause of death was determined to be asphyxia. With this finding, the case was officially ruled a homicide. Investigators worked quickly to identify the man, and through the use of fingerprints, they were able to positively match them to Matthew Joel Peak, a young man just starting his adult life.

The investigation into who killed Matthew and why has spanned more than two decades, handled by the Hawaiʻi Police Department under case number F-96184. Detectives learned about Matthew's lifestyle, including his reliance on hitchhiking, which inherently made him vulnerable. They traced his frequent haunts in Hilo and Puna, seeking anyone who might have seen him in his final days or who might have a clue as to who he was with. The challenge for law enforcement was compounded by the condition of Matthew's body and the lack of immediate witnesses to the crime itself.

Over the years, Matthew's case has become one of the Big Island's most haunting cold cases. In May 2021, the Hawaiʻi Police Department highlighted his murder, along with several others, on a newly published list of unsolved homicides on its website. The effort was a public appeal, a way to capitalize on renewed media interest and generate fresh leads from the community. Police have noted that in cases like Matthew's, information from witnesses, family, or friends is often the most critical resource in breaking the silence and achieving a breakthrough.

As of January 2025, more than 25 years after his death, Matthew Peak's murder remains unsolved. His case is still listed as an active investigation on the Hawaiʻi Police Department's unsolved homicides portal. Detectives believe that someone, somewhere, holds the key piece of information that could bring justice for Matthew and a measure of peace to those who knew him. The department's Unsolved Homicides Division continues to review the file, hopeful that advances in forensic science or a long-overdue witness statement will finally point them to the person responsible.

A reward of up to $1,000 is offered by Crime Stoppers for information that leads to an arrest. The organization assures that all tips are kept confidential and that callers can remain anonymous. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300 or the Unsolved Homicides Division directly.