Hawai‘i Island police detectives are continuing to investigate circumstances surrounding the February 18 death of Kala’iokealaula Ashley Nicole Reyes Kanekoa of Kea’au. Recently, an influx of information has been spread on social media sites claiming that police closed the investigation following the forensic pathologist’s ruling that Kanekoa died as a result of an accidental drowning. Although that was the pathologist’s ruling, the investigation remains open, and police detectives are investigating what occurred leading up to Kanekoa going over the sea cliff and ultimately drowning. Although police have interviewed numerous witnesses and residents in the area where the incident occurred, they are continuing to request information from anyone who may have witnessed the incident or may have video surveillance or information relative to the case, to call Detective Paul Mangus of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2383 or via email at paul.mangus@hawaiicounty.gov.
