HILO, Hawai'i — A Big Island grand jury has indicted a Puna man for attempted first-degree murder for allegedly fatally stabbing his son and repeatedly stabbing his pregnant wife in the abdomen.

Tyrone Vesperas, 38, has admitted to police he stabbed his pregnant wife, Cheryl-Lyn Vesperas, repeatedly with a military-issued combat knife during a domestic dispute at his 'Ainaloa home on June 11, according to a police affidavit filed in the case.

Vesperas also admitted to fatally stabbing his son Tyran, according to a police affidavit. Vesperas told officers that "my son died saving his mother's life," according to court documents.

The Hilo grand jury also indicted Vesperas on Wednesday for second-degree murder in the death of Tyran; attempted second-degree murder for the stabbing of Cheryl Vesperas; and possession of a deadly weapon while committing another crime.

If convicted of attempted first-degree murder, Vesperas faces life in prison without possibility of parole.

Police said Tyran intervened to protect his mother as Tyrone Vesperas stabbed her; the son's action allowed Cheryl Vesperas to escape in her car. At some point, Tyran was also stabbed in the left side of his neck.

Cheryl Vesperas was about nine months pregnant, and her unborn child did not survive the stabbing.

SMOKE PROMPTS ANIMAL EVACUATION

HILO, Hawai'i — A fire in the green waste area of the solid waste transfer station at Kealakehe generated so much smoke yesterday that a portion of the nearby Kona police station was closed and 90 animals were evacuated from the nearby Hawai'i Island Humane Society building.

The police station records section closed and other non-essential civilian employees were sent home, but the station itself remained open to the public, police said.

The fire was reported at 11:32 p.m. Wednesday, and the smoke began causing problems when the winds shifted northward at about 10 a.m. yesterday.

Civil defense officials said the fire was contained, and did not pose a hazard to any homes or property.

IDENTITY PENDING ON BODY FOUND

LIHU'E, Kaua'i — Kaua'i police said they have tentatively identified a body found Wednesday at Larsen's beach, but they will wait for dental records to confirm the identity.

The dental records are scheduled to arrive today, in time for an autopsy also scheduled today.

The body was found on the shore about 11 a.m. County officials would not say whether the body was that of a man who disappeared while swimming Sunday at the beach.

Roy Overstreet, of Bellingham, Wash., was swimming with his wife, Cara Jaye, that afternoon, when both ran into trouble.

Jaye was helped to safety by other swimmers, but Overstreet disappeared. Searches by the Coast Guard and Kaua'i Fire Department did not locate Overstreet.