Hawai‘i police: Public pool death in Hilo ruled a suicide

A man found dead in a Hilo public pool was ruled to be a suicide, Hawai‘i police reported Wednesday afternoon.

The 24-year-old victim was found in the early morning on Oct. 18 by lifeguards at the Charles Sparky Kawamoto Swim Stadium. Police received the report at 8:30 a.m. and responded to the pool. When first responders arrived on scene, they determined that County lifeguards had pulled the victim from the water.

An autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist ruled the manner of death suicide by drowning, police reported Wednesday. The final autopsy report is pending toxicology results.

The victim is a native of Oregon, however, relocated to Hawai‘i Island sometime last year, police say. Although HPD identified the man, Big Island Now has decided not to report his name based on the manner of death.

Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene to continue this investigation.

Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case to call the department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311 or Detective Casey Cabral of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2384 or email Casey.Cabral@hawaiicounty.gov.