On April 23, 1978, 26 year old Valerie Ann Warshay was discovered deceased at the Harry K. Brown Park in Kalapana. The manner of her death was ruled a homicide.

Ms. Warshay, a park ranger, was visiting from California and had been on the island for a few weeks prior to her death.  She made numerous acquaintances across the island, and was noted to be an avid hiker. She also played a flute or recorder-style woodwind at social gatherings.  Her death is still being actively investigated by the Hawai’i Police Department.

Police ask that anyone who may have encountered Ms. Warshay during her stay on island, or who has information about her death, to contact Detective Derek Morimoto of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2380 or via email at Derek.Morimoto@hawaiicounty.gov, or call the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.

Photo credit: Hawaiʻi County Police Department