Hawai‘i police identify man who jumped off downtown Hilo bridge

Hawai‘i police have identified the man who jumped off the Pu‘uʻeo Bridge in downtown Hilo, on Wednesday, as 71-year-old David P. Crowley of Hilo.

Shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday, South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to the area of the Pu‘u‘eo Bridge after receiving numerous reports that a man had jumped from the bridge into the Wailuku River.

First responders located the man’s lifeless body, and Fire Department rescue personnel assisted in recovering the body from the water. Detectives with the Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section also responded to the scene to continue the investigation.

The victim was transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 6 p.m.

An autopsy was performed Thursday afternoon, and the forensic pathologist ruled the cause of death blunt force injures to the neck. The manner was determined to be suicide.

Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case to call the police department’s non-emergency number at 808-935-3311, or Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 808-961-2375 or email Kimo.Keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.