MEDIA RELEASE

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest case in connection with a fatal fire Monday night (Sept. 30) in Kaʻu.

In response to a 9:09 p.m. report of a structure fire on Bamboo Lane in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates subdivision, Kaʻu Patrol officers arrived to find Fire Department personnel extinguishing a fire that destroyed a small house.

After putting out the flames, Fire Department personnel found the remains of an unidentified man inside.

An autopsy has been scheduled for Wednesday (Oct. 2) to determine the exact cause of death and to attempt to identify the deceased.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Police ask anyone with information about this case to contact Detective Sean Smith at 326-4646, extension 262, or ssmith@co.hawaii.hi.us.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

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UPDATE:

An autopsy conducted Wednesday (Oct. 2) indicated no signs of foul play in a body found in the remnants of a fire Monday night (Sept. 30) in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

The forensic pathologist is withholding the cause of death pending toxicology reports but did find evidence of smoke inhalation in the unidentified man.

Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation into the identity of the victim.