Big Island police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered Friday evening at a homeless encampment on the edge of the Wailuku Riverbank in Hilo.
The deceased has been positively identified as 28-year-old Isaac Wessel-Rivera of Hilo, according to the Hawaii Police Department.
Shortly before 9 p.m. Friday, South Hilo Patrol officers responded to a report and discovered Wessel-Rivera’s body within the encampment. A man was taken into custody for questioning. Police have identified him as 32-year-old Westen Tegman of Hilo.
Police detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section are continuing this investigation.
An autopsy will be performed early this week to determine the exact cause of death.
Anyone who may have been in the area is asked to contact Detective Blaine Morishita at 961-2385 or email Blaine.Morishita@hawaiicounty.gov or Lieutenant Rio Amon-Wilkins at 961-2252 or email Rio.Amon-Wilkins@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s nonemergency number at 935-3311.
Those 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. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.