Mike Miske Jr., one of Hawaii’s most notorious crime figures, was found dead on Sunday morning in the Federal Detention Center where he had been incarcerated for more than four years.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Sorenson confirmed Miske was found dead in his cell but declined to comment further on Sunday.

Miske apparently killed himself, sources told Civil Beat.

In July, after a trial that lasted months, Miske was convicted of 13 federal counts, including racketeering conspiracy and murder in aid of racketeering. He was scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 30 and faced mandatory minimum life sentences on two of the charges.

Miske had been held in the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu since July 15, 2020, when he was arrested by federal agents.

Among other things, Miske was convicted of murder for the 2016 of killing of Johnathan Fraser. Fraser was a close friend of Miske’s son, Caleb, who died after a car wreck both young men were involved in. Miske believed Fraser was driving the vehicle that night and was responsible for his son’s death but evidence showed it was Caleb Miske who was behind the wheel at the time of the accident.

Fraser was last seen on July 30, 2016, and his body was never found. 

Miske’s cousin Maryanne Miske, wrote in an email that Miske’s family is “extremely disappointed” in the government and the Federal Detention Center for failing to keep him safe.

“Regardless of what they thought of him, he is still our loved one,” she wrote. “He is a son, a father, a brother, a grandfather, a uncle, nephew, and a friend and he IS LOVED. All should remember that.”

She described Miske as a capable person who showed love, kindness and acceptance. She said he would always tell her “Love you, cousin.”

The defense maintained that Miske had nothing to do with Fraser’s disappearance and suggested alternate theories for the fact that he has not been seen in nearly a decade.

Prosecutors contended Miske was a master manipulator who ran an extensive organized crime group that engaged in intimidation, kidnapping and murder.

Defense attorneys described Miske throughout the trial as a successful businessman who helped his community. Miske owned multiple businesses, including his fumigation company Kamaaina Termite and Pest Control.

His trial began in January and lasted about six months. He stood trial alone after his half-brother, John Stancil, and daughter-in-law, Delia Fabro Miske, took plea deals shortly before opening statements began.

About a dozen associates of Miske also were implicated in connection with Miske’s various charges and all but Miske made deals with the prosecution that in most cases included testifying against him.

It was one of the most complex criminal prosecutions in the country, with millions of documents and hours of audio and video evidence.

Miske’s attorney, Michael Kennedy, did not respond to a call seeking comment Sunday.

Kennedy said after the trial that he planned to appeal Miske’s convictions.