Police: Body found Saturday in Puna a gunshot victim

Police say a decomposed body found Saturday in Mackenzie State Recreation Area in lower Puna was that of a gunshot victim.

Officers responded to the park shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday after a fisherman reported locating a body on the rocks near the shore break.

The body was located about 15 feet down a cliff and firefighters rappelled to retrieve the decomposing remains, police said.

A forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy Tuesday concluded that the victim died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was ruled homicide.

A police release did not specify the gender of the victim, and due to the advanced stage of decomposition, positive identification is pending.

A murder investigation has been opened, and anyone with information relative to the investigation is asked to call the department’s non-emergency number at 935-3311 or contact Detective Jeremy Kubojiri at 961-2378 or email jeremy.kubojiri@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those preferring anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.