Hawaiʻi Police Department
Puna District
Lieutenant Reed K. Mahuna
Phone: 965-2716
Report No. C12009277
Media Release
Puna patrol officers responded on Friday (April 6) at about 1:34 p.m. to a reported swimmer in distress at Shipman Beach in Keaau. The victim a 17- year-old male was swimming with a friend and began to struggle. The victim’s friend lost sight of the victim, swam to shore and called fire-rescue.
Upon officers arrival several Fire Department units were already on scene including a Fire Department helicopter. The victim was not immediately located.
Police were notified Saturday morning (April 7) at 7:25 a.m. that a body of a male party matching the description of the missing swimmer was located near Shipman Beach.
Police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.
