MEDIA RELEASE

Police are investigating an apparent drowning in waters off the Kailua-Kona coast Wednesday morning.

Responding to a 10:38 a.m. call from Kona Community Hospital, officers learned that 77-year-old David Ebersole of Liberty, Missouri, was snorkeling with a tour group when he was observed motionless in the water.

Ebersole was taken ashore at Honokōhau Harbor, at which point Fire Department personnel took him to Kona Community Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 10:36 a.m.

Police do not suspect foul play. They have opened a coroner’s inquest case and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.