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Woman’s body found in ocean off Kalapana

UPDATED: 11 p.m. Tuesday, May 28

MEDIA RELEASE

Police are investigating the discovery of a body in waters off Kalapana in the Puna district.

At 6:28 a.m. Tuesday (May 28), personnel from the Police Department and Fire Department responded to a report of a body caught in a fishing line from a nearby fishing boat in the ocean off one of the lava viewing areas.

Another vessel in the area contacted authorities and remained with the body until divers from the Fire Department and its helicopter recovered the remains and met with police at a temporary landing zone.

Detectives from the Area 1 Criminal Investigations Section responded to the location and are continuing the investigation, which is classified as a coroners inquest.

The body is that of a Caucasian female possibly in her late 20s or early 30s, about 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-8 with a slim build, short brown hair and a tattoo of “Veritas” on her lower back. Detectives are reviewing recent missing persons records in an attempt to identify the female.

Police have not ruled out foul play. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday morning to determine the exact cause of death.

Police urge anyone who may know the woman or have information on this case contact Detective Robert Almeida at 961-2386 or ralmeda@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Fetuutuunai Amuimuia at 961-2278 or famuimuia@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 or 329-8181 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

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Hawaii 24/7 Staff

Police are investigating the death of a young woman whose body was found floating early Tuesday in the ocean off Kalapana.

Authorities report the body was spotted shortly before 6:30 a.m. by the crew of a lava-viewing tour boat.

That boat stayed on the scene until Fire Department rescue personnel could respond to retrieve the body, which has yet to be identified.

A rescue boat and Chopper 1 were dispatched, as well as an engine and medic unit.

The woman has not yet been identified and although the body was found near the latest lava ocean entry point, it is not clear whether the woman entered the ocean at the Kalapana lava viewing area.

A Fire Department report describes the body as “young female,” with a slim build, short brown hair, and a tattoo of “Veritas” on her lower back. Officials say she is 5 ft. 4 inches tall, and is possibly in her late 20s or early 30s.

An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday to determine the exact cause of death.

Earlier this moth, Hawaiian Volcano Observatory scientists issued a warning, cautioning the public about the dangers of straying too close to the lava ocean entry.

Dangers include unstable ground created at the shoreline by the mixture of lava and seawater. The resulting benches can fall away without warning. Other threats include scalding spray and the toxic steam plume.

To date, at least four four deaths have been attributed to attempts by the public to get a closer look at lava entering the ocean. Earlier this year, a Canadian man died after he became disoriented and overheated on the lava field and the rental car of a Japanese tourist was found parked at the viewing area. That man has not been found.

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