Police ID Ninole waterfall drowning victim

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Police have identified a man whose deceased body was recovered Sunday from a riverbed below a waterfall in Ninole as 35-year-old Andrew Jeffrey Salonia, of Hilo.

A forensic pathologist who performed an autopsy Tuesday on Salonia determined the cause of his death was drowning.

The investigation remains continuing pending the receipt of the toxicology report, as police say Salonia’s employer reported he last saw Salonia on Saturday, reportedly intoxicated, sitting on the edge of the waterfall.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Kimo Keli‘ipa‘akaua of the East Hawaii Criminal Investigations at (808) 961-2375, or email at kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.

Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.