Tragedy struck the Boiling Pots area in Hilo as the Hawai'i Island police recovered the body of a man presumed to be a missing visitor who had not been seen since entering the waters earlier this week. The man, whose identity has yet to be released pending family notification, was last spotted on the afternoon of September 17.
The search came to a conclusion yesterday, with the Hawai'i Fire Department rescue team managing to carefully locate and retrieve the body from some 30-feet beneath the surface. The operation took place at approximately 2:10 p.m., according to a press release on Nixle. Following recovery, the individual was then transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center where death was officially pronounced.
In the pursuit to fully understand the series of events that led to this unfortunate outcome, a Coroner’s Inquest investigation has been initiated, and an autopsy has been ordered to definitively ascertain the cause of death. As the investigation continues under the lead of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section detectives, the police have taken care to respect the privacy of the victim and their family in these early stages.
Detective Kimo Keli’ipa’akaua heads the ongoing inquiry and has made an appeal to the public, asking to please come forward with any information that might assist in piecing together the circumstances surrounding this death. Tips can be shared with the detective by calling (808) 961-2375, or by emailing [email protected], as authorities look to quickly, but also thoroughly to untangle this tragic occurrence.
