Hawai‘i Island police identify possible drowning victim as Albuquerque woman

A 54-year-old woman who died on July 22 after a possible drowning in Kailua-Kona on the Big Island has been positively identified as Jennifer Kathleen Purcell of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Just before 6 p.m. on July 21, Kona patrol officers and Hawai’i Fire Department personnel responded to the 75-5600 block of Ali‘i Drive for a report of a possible drowning.

In the course of investigation, officers learned that a 54-year-old woman, later identified as Purcell, was found floating face down in the waters near the shore area. Bystanders pulled Purcell out of the water and immediately performed CPR on her until the medics arrived on scene. She was transported to the Kona Community Hospital and later airlifted to Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu where she passed away at 9:29 a.m. on July 22.

Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation to determine the exact cause of death and are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Officer Kaimi Andres-Kamakau at 808-935-3311 or by e-mail at Kaimi.Andres-Kamakau@hawaiicounty.gov.