Police investigating Kona drowning
(HTH) — Police are investigating a bizarre drowning Thursday morning off Laaloa Beach Park in Kailua-Kona involving a 31-year-old visitor.
According to police, the victim’s father called police regarding his concern for the safety and whereabouts of his son. Officers conducting checks of the park’s shoreline shortly before 8 a.m. made contact with a man matching the father’s description of his son, police said.
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As officers attempted to identify the man, he reportedly jumped into the ocean and swam away from shore.
The Hawaii Fire Department was contacted for rescue and medical assistance police said. While firefighters were en route with their rescue boat, the man continued swimming farther from the short and was seen going under the water without resurfacing, police said.
Fire rescuers and county lifeguards searched for the man and found his lifeless body, police said.
The identity of the victim is being withheld, pending positive identification from a family member.
The West Hawaii Criminal Investigations Section is investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Cacique Melendez at (808) 326-4646 or Cacique.Melendez@Hawaiicounty.gov.
Those who prefer anonymity may call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
