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Neighbors of Pittsburgh man killed in Hawaii shocked at what happened

PITTSBURGH — Neighbors of a Pittsburgh man killed at the hands of a friend while on vacation in Hawaii told Channel 11 they’re shocked at what happened.

>>>RELATED: Hawaii vacation of 3 friends from East Coast ended in death

Hawaii Island police said Benjamin Fleming, 37, of Pittsburgh and another man from Boston were involved in a fight that led to the death of 30-year-old Abhishek Gupta, also of Pittsburgh.

Fleming’s preliminary hearing wrapped up Wednesday evening.

“I just can’t imagine that scenario, just can’t imagine,” said Karen Jacobsen.

People living near Gupta’s home in Mt. Lebanon said they couldn’t believe the news after police said he was allegedly strangled to death by Fleming. Investigators said the men, fellow MBA graduates from Carnegie Mellon, went out drinking and a verbal argument turned physical.

Fleming faces manslaughter charges in Gupta’s death.

“That’s just heartbreaking and unconscionable. I cannot believe this has happened,” Jacobsen said.