UPDATE: Hāmākua Coast Death Result of Drowning

Hawai‘i Fire Department’s Rescue Boat 2. File photo by Dave Smith.

UPDATE: Aug. 23

An autopsy conducted Tuesday, Aug. 23, determined that the man found floating of the Hāmākua Coast on Aug. 16, died as the result of drowning.

He was identified Thursday evening, Aug. 18, as 28-year-old Adam Hartzog, who had no permanent address but frequented the Hilo area.

UPDATE: Aug. 22

Hawaiʻi Island police have identified the body of a man found floating off the Hāmākua Coast on Aug. 16.

He was identified Thursday evening, Aug. 18, as 28-year-old Adam Hartzog, who had no permanent address but frequented the Hilo area.

Police thank the public for providing information that helped to establish his identity.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 23, to determine the cause of death.

The case is classified as a coroner’s inquest.

ORIGINAL POST: Aug. 16

Hawaiʻi Island police have not yet identified the body of a man found floating Tuesday, Aug. 16, off the Hāmākua Coast.

He is describe as Caucasian, 6-foot-3, 150 pounds with blue eyes, red medium-length hair and a red goatee. He is estimated to be in his late 20s to mid-30s.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 23, to determine the cause of death.

Police ask anyone who knows the man’s identity or who has any information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Wendall Carter at 961-2378 or [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.

The case is being investigated as a coroner’s inquest.

ORIGINAL POST: Aug. 16

At 1:11 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, Hawai‘i Island police received a report of a body floating about a mile north of Honoliʻi Point.

The Hawai‘i County Fire Department responded to the report of a body in open ocean .7 miles offshore of Honoli‘i Beach at approximately 1:30 p.m. today.

Upon arrival at approximately 2 p.m., Rescue Boat 2 personnel found the reporting party in a 13-foot Boston Whaler with body floating approximately 15 feet away in the open ocean.

Rescue boat personnel located, extricated and transported body to Wailoa Boat Ramp, where it was turned over to Hawai‘i Island police.

Hawaiʻi Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest case in connection with a body found floating off the Hāmākua Coast.

Police have not identified the man, described as Caucasian, slim, in his mid-30s with red medium-length hair and a red goatee.

Police ask anyone who knows his identity or who has any information about this case to call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Wendall Carter at 961-2378 or [email protected].

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the islandwide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300.