Man’s body discovered hanging from tree in Hilo

Big Island police are investigating after a man’s body was discovered hanging from a tree Saturday in the Kaʻūmana area of Hilo.

Hawaiʻi Police Department dispatch received a report at 10:11 a.m. Saturday from a passerby in the area saying there was a man hanging from a tree near Chong Street.

Responding South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel located the man, who appeared to be in his 50s; however, he was unable to be resuscitated.

The man’s body was transported to Hilo Benioff Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 12:16 p.m.

Hawai‘i Police Department’s Area I Criminal Investigation Section is investigating this incident as a coroner’s inquest, pending positive identification of the man and notification of next of kin.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Kimo Keliipaakaua at 808-961-2375 or call the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311.