Autopsy on crime boss Mike Miske cannot determine cause of death
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The autopsy on Mike Miske, 50, was done Monday, about 24 hours after the notorious organized crime leader was found dead in his cell at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu.
The results were inconclusive, and sources said more tests need to be done. The U.S. Attorney’s office said in a statement Tuesday, “Presently, there is no finding of foul play or suicide.”
Miske was not in isolation. HNN Investigates has learned he had a cell mate, but investigators do not believe at this time that he was the victim of a crime.
Learn more: Crime boss Mike Miske found dead in jail weeks before sentencing
Retired federal public defender Alexander Silvert has worked for 30 years in the federal system and said FDC is considered a safe facility.
“There are lots of cameras and lots of security,” Silvert said.
Defense attorney Myles Breiner agreed, and said many of his clients prefer serving time at FDC.
“It has a reputation of being cleaner, safer, more professionally run,” Breiner said.
On July 18, a federal jury convicted Miske after a seven-month trial of 13 counts of criminal conduct, including a racketeering conspiracy, murder in aid of racketeering, kidnapping resulting in death, chemical weapons offenses, and obstruction of justice.
That same jury also ruled for forfeiture in a subsequent criminal proceeding.
The government was in the process of seizing an estimated $25M in assets including a luxury Portlock home, both classic and sports cars, a Boston Whaler, plus cash and artwork.
Miske was supposed to be sentenced Jan. 30, 2025. He was facing a mandatory minimum term of life in prison.
His death prior to sentencing has complicated the forfeiture process.
U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors said in a statement Tuesday, “Michael Miske’s death was unexpected and may terminate some of the ongoing criminal proceedings. The United States spent years investigating Miske’s large-scale criminal enterprise and then years preparing for one of the most grueling trials in this office’s history. Justice was served in the process but aspects of the case remain unfinished. In particular, we are committed to pursuing recovery of the assets found forfeitable by a federal criminal jury and will file pleadings in court as necessary and appropriate.”
Silvert said, “Either there’s going to be a hearing just in front of the judge on the forfeiture issue, or the government’s going to have to convert this from a criminal case to a civil case” to seize the assets.
Miske had been at FDC since July 2020, when he was arrested in Kailua by FBI agents.
It could take months for the additional test results to determine Miske’s cause of death.
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