Hawaii Island police are investigating after hunters discovered a body Saturday on a remote trail in the Kahaualea Natural Area Reserve in Volcano.
At approximately 5 p.m., two hunters reported to the Hawaii Police Department they had discovered a badly decomposed body on the trail several miles in from Captains Drive in Fern Forest.
Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section were contacted to assist with the investigation, which is classified as a coroner’s inquest. Due to the dangerous and remote location of the remains, and the approaching darkness, detectives and Hawaii Fire Department Rescue personnel responded to the scene early Sunday morning.
The fire department assisted with flying police detectives, DLNR and rescue personnel to the remote location, and airlifting the body out. The victim was then transported to the Hilo Medical Center and pronounced dead.
An autopsy has been scheduled for early this week to determine the cause of death. Identification of the victim will be done by means of dental or DNA comparison.
Detectives are continuing this investigation and are currently reviewing pending missing person cases.
Anyone with information relative to this case should call the department’s nonemergency number at (808) 935-3311, or contact Detective Wendall Carter of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section by calling (808) 961-2383 or via email wendall.carter@hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer anonymity should call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.