Hawaiʻi police investigate possible drowning in Kaʻū

Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a possible drowning involving a 59-year-old female visitor in Nā‘ālehu on Sunday afternoon.

Police responded to a report of a swimmer in distress at Whittington Beach Park at approximately 2:40 p.m. on Sunday, June 22. Witnesses reported seeing a woman, who has been identified as Stacy Coon of Oroville, California, swimming in the ocean 40 yards from shore when she began yelling for help.

Several bystanders entered the water and brought her to shore where she appeared to become unresponsive. Bystanders began CPR until first responders arrived on scene.
 
Despite resuscitative efforts, Coon remained unresponsive and was later pronounced deceased at Ka‘ū Hospital.
 
An autopsy is being requested to determine the exact cause of death.
 
Police ask that anyone with information regarding this incident to please contact Ka‘ū Patrol Officer Taylor Au at (808) 939-2520.