Autopsy results reveal man found floating face-down in waters near Hilo Pier drowned

Autopsy results for an elderly Hilo man whose body was found in Hilo Harbor earlier this month indicate that his death was the result of a probable drowning.

Shortly after 8 a.m. on Feb. 9, Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to a report of a male body floating face-down at the edge of the Hilo Pier located at 100 Kūhiō St. The man, later identified as 73-year-old Dennis William Swain, was pulled from the water by responding personnel and transported to the Hilo Medical Center where he was officially pronounced dead at 10:47 a.m.

On Feb. 16, an autopsy performed on Swain indicated he had died as a result of a probable drowning; however, the pathologist’s final ruling is pending standard toxicology results. There was no indication of foul play.

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.