Hawai‘i Island police identified the deceased male who was recovered from a riverbed below a Ninole waterfall as 35-year-old Andrew Jeffrey Salonia of Hilo.

Following an autopsy, the forensic pathologist determined that Salonia’s cause of death was drowning. The investigation remains continuing pending the receipt of a toxicology report.

On September 21, HPD officers initiated a missing persons investigation after a Hilo man reported that he hadn’t seen or heard from his employee since early afternoon. The employee, who was said to be intoxicated while ignoring warnings to move due to safety concerns, was last seen sitting on the edge of the waterfall.

As the employer completed yard maintenance, he conducted another check for the missing man at the waterfall, and other areas of the property, however he could not be located. The employer then drove to Hilo and filed the missing person’s report.

North Hilo patrol officers responded to the scene and conducted checks however they were unable to locate anyone that evening.

On September 22, Salonia’s body was found submerged about 6 feet under water. Members of the Hawai’i County Fire Department extricated the body, which was turned over to police for continued investigation. Salonia was then transported to the Hilo Benioff Medical Center for pronouncement of death.

Police ask anyone who may have information regarding this incident to call Detective Kimo Keli’ipa’akaua of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2375, or via email at kimo.keliipaakaua@hawaiicounty.gov.