MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaiʻi Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation in connection with a body found in Hilo Bay on Thursday evening.

Shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to the 100 block of Banyan Drive to a report of a body floating in the bay.

They found a man floating face down about 15 feet from shore. Officers and Fire Department personnel assisted the unresponsive man to shore. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was officially pronounced dead at 9:02 p.m.

Police are attempting to identify the body and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 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.