Fugitive Linked to Hawaii Murder Arrested in San Diego

Bryan Suitt, 46, was wanted in connection with the gruesome slaying and dismemberment of a man in Honolulu

A man linked to a gruesome murder case out of Honolulu was arrested by U.S. Marshals in San Diego's Coronado community, an official confirmed Tuesday.

Bryan Suitt, 46, was arrested Monday at his mother's home in Coronado, a deputy marshal told NBC 7.

Suitt was booked into San Diego Central Jail and was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday. In the meantime, the fugitive is not eligible for release.

Suitt is considered a suspect in the brutal slaying of Hawaii fisherman Alex “Pirotton” Gonzales, 33.

On Sept. 15, Gonzales’ dismembered remains were discovered near the Mililani Memorial Park cemetery in Honolulu’s Waipahu area.

According to KHLN Hawaii, Gonzales’ remains were found in pieces, with his torso and tattooed arm stuffed into a garbage bag. A couple collecting cans for recycling noticed a foul odor in the area and came across the grisly crime scene about 15 feet down an embankment.

Earlier, the couple said they had noticed a pair of new shoes on the other side of the road. Sheer Sotelo said police found more evidence near the shoes.

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"They walked into that side trail and came back out. That's when they pulled up to the side and let us know that they found the bottom part," Sotelo said.

Gonzales had served as a U.S. Marine and was the father of a 13-year-old son, who lives in California.

Gonzales had a criminal record, according to KHLN, that included a five-year sentence in 2004 for driving a stolen vehicle, as well as more recent convictions for property damage in 2012 and harassment in January 2013.

The victim's former girlfriend Rachel Main said he also struggled with drugs and depression.

"There were some things he did lifestyle-wise that got him into trouble, and that's kind of why we're not together," Main said.

Investigators have not yet released details linking Suitt to the murder case, including a motive for the killing.

A grand jury convened on Nov. 26 and filed charges, a U.S. Marshal spokesperson said. A $5 million arrest warrant was then issued for Suitt on a second-degree murder charge.

Honolulu police requested assistance from U.S. Marshals in locating and arresting Suitt. Days later, Los Angeles deputy marshals developed information on Suitt's location in Coronado and took the fugitive into custody, the official said.

Neighbors who live in the Silver Strand community told NBC 7 that they thought Suitt was visiting for Thanksgiving and that he had already gone back to Hawaii. Witnesses said U.S. Marshals arrested him in the front yard without incident.

Suitt had previous contacts in Palm Springs and San Diego County. Officials used that information to trace him to Southern California.

Suitt is scheduled for an extradition hearing in San Diego to send him back to Hawaii. The suspect can also waive that hearing and return voluntarily to the island, officials said.

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