Full Notification

Hawai’i Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section–Area I
Lieutenant Zachary Fernando
Phone: (808) 961-2252
Report No.: 24-046694

Media Release

On Thursday evening, May 23, 2024, at approximately 7:00 p.m., members of the Area I Criminal Investigation Division were alerted to the possible location of a decomposing body. The body was found to be in advanced stages of decomposition. The human remains were located on a vacant undeveloped property located on the 16-200 block of 36^th Avenue, in Kea'au, Hawai’i, and is believed to be connected to an active missing person investigation involving a 37-year-old Puna woman.

The information leading to the discovery of the remains was obtained during an investigation at a residence located on the 15-2000 block of 15^th Avenue, in Keaau, Hawai’i, where a search was executed by police personnel earlier in the day.

Police secured and maintained custody of the scene overnight, and recovered the human remains at about 9:40 a.m., on Friday morning, May 24, 2024.

An autopsy was performed Friday afternoon and the forensic pathologist has deferred the cause and manner of death pending additional forensic examination and testing.  

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending positive identification and notification of next of kin.

Area I Criminal Investigation Division personnel are continuing this investigation and ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to contact Detective Amy Omaya of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2381, or via email at [email protected] or the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.