A weekend outing in the Wailua uplands ended in tragedy after search teams recovered the body of 42-year-old Kapaa resident Jennifer Sperry on Saturday morning, about 200 yards downstream from the second crossing at Keahua Arboretum. She had been reported missing Friday afternoon after last being seen near the same crossing along Kuamoo Road, according to police. Authorities said they do not suspect foul play, and an autopsy is pending to determine the cause of death.
As reported by Kaua‘i Now, Sperry was reported missing on Friday, April 10 at about 4 p.m., after the two people she had been with realized she was no longer with their group and raised the alarm. Responders from the Kaua‘i Fire Department, the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, Kaua‘i Search and Rescue and the Kaua‘i Police Department launched a search that evening but were forced to suspend operations overnight because of darkness and unsafe conditions.
Search and recovery
Search operations resumed the following morning, and teams located Sperry’s body at approximately 7:30 a.m. about 200 yards downstream from the second crossing, according to Hawaii News Now. Officials said the rugged terrain and fast-changing stream conditions in the area made the search more difficult and contributed to delays.
Police statement and next steps
Per KITV, Kaua‘i police said they do not suspect foul play at this time and that Sperry’s next of kin have been notified. An autopsy will determine the exact cause of death, and investigators said they will follow up on any leads that emerge from the forensic review as the case remains open.
Keahua Arboretum and safety
Keahua Arboretum sits off Kuamoo Road within the Wailua watershed and serves as a common trailhead into the Lihue–Koloa Forest Reserve, where streams and steep terrain can change quickly, according to Go Hawaii. Local authorities and search-and-rescue teams regularly urge hikers and drivers to use extra caution in the area, particularly during or after heavy rain, when water levels and footing can shift in a hurry.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Kaua‘i Police Department dispatch at (808) 241-1711, per the Kaua‘i County contact page. Authorities say the investigation remains active while the autopsy and follow-up inquiries proceed.
