MEDIA RELEASE

Cherie Ward

Hawaiʻi Island police are asking for the public’s help in locating a Hāmākua woman who was reported missing.

Cherie Crystal Grace Ward, 26, moved to Hawaiʻi in December. Her family on the mainland has not heard from her since December or January. She is described as Caucasian, tall with a slender build, light-brown medium hair and green eyes. She may be in the Hilo area in the company of a man named Denny Burniston.

Police ask that anyone with information on the whereabouts of either of these individuals call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.