Hawai’i Island police are investigating the discovery of a body found in the “Sparky” Kawamoto Swim Stadium swimming pool in Hilo yesterday morning.
South Hilo Patrol officers and Hawai’i County Fire Department personnel responded to the stadium after receiving a report of a body being located at the bottom of the pool.
County lifeguards discovered the body and extricated the victim from the water. It is believed the victim entered the facility sometime while the pool was closed.
Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene to continue the investigation, which is currently classified as a coroner’s inquest. Preliminary observations of the body did not indicate any visible trauma, and police do not suspect foul play.
An autopsy will be performed later this week to determine the exact cause of death.
The identity of the victim, who appears to be a male in his mid-20s, is pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.
In a statement Hawaiʻi County Mayor Mitch Roth said, “We’d like to mahalo our County lifeguards for their swift action in ensuring the prompt recovery of the body while maintaining the professional demeanor to ease pool-goer concerns through the recovery and initial investigation process. Any loss of life is unfortunate, and we send our condolences to the friends and family of the individual. We’re confident in our officers’ ability to conduct a thorough investigation and will patiently await their findings.”
Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Detective Casey Cabral of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2384 or email Casey.Cabral@hawaiicounty.gov.