Hawai‘i Island police are investigating the recent discovery of a body located on the edge of Wailoa River in Hilo.Blaine.Morishita@hawaiicounty.gov.
On August 4, South Hilo patrol officers, Hawai‘i County Fire Department personnel, and DOCARE officers responded to the river following a report of a body located in shallow water near the makai side. Hawai’i County Fire Department and DOCARE personnel assisted in extracting the victim from the water while Area I Criminal Investigation Section personnel responded to the scene to continue the investigation, which is currently classified as a coroner’s inquest. The victim, who was transported to Hilo Medical Center and officially pronounced dead, has been tentatively identified as a 64-year-old Hilo man; however, positive identification is pending, and police are withholding his identity pending notification of next of kin. Authorities do not suspect foul play at this time; however, an autopsy has been scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. 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 Blaine Morishita of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2380 or via email