Police: Body found Saturday in Hilo likely a suicide

Police say the body of a man found hanging from a tree on Chong Street in Hilo near the Kaumana Drive intersection Saturday morning was likely that of a suicide victim.

Capt. Rio Amon-Wilkins of the Hawaii Criminal Investigation Division said an autopsy will be performed Tuesday on the body, “but it appears to be a suicide.”

“There’s no sign of foul play,” Amon-Wilkins said.

According to police, police dispatch received a report at 10:11 a.m. Saturday from a motorist who saw the body while passing by. Responding South Hilo patrol officers and Hawaii Fire Department personnel located the man’s body. He was, however, beyond resuscitation efforts.

The body, who appeared to be that of a man in his 50s according to police, was taken to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:16 p.m.

The East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section is investigating this incident as a coroner’s inquest.

“We have a tentative ID. We are waiting for positive ID by fingerprints,” said Amon-Wilkins. “We just have to get in touch with next of kin before we release his identification.

“We don’t normally put out press releases on suicides, unless it’s someone very prominent or the incident took place in public,” Amon-Wilkins said.

Police are asking anyone who has information on the incident to contact East Hawaii Criminal Investigation Section Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua at (808) 961-2375, or the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Those with information who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.