Hawai‘i Island police have identified the body recently found in the ocean near the cliffs off Old Government Road as 39-year-old Seth Kapiliokalani Waltjen, of Hilo.
 
During an autopsy performed on August 1, the forensic pathologist ruled Waltjen’s death was consistent with drowning, and ruled out foul play; however, final autopsy results are pending toxicology testing.
 
Waltjen was initially reported as a missing person on Sunday, July 29 after he failed to return from opihi picking and diving.  Later that day, divers with the Hawai’i County Fire Department located his body in waters several hundred yards offshore.
 
Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section are continuing this investigation, which is currently classified as a coroner’s inquest.
 
Police ask anyone who may have information relative to this case, to call the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311, or Detective Jeremy Kubojiri of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2378 or email Jeremy.Kubojiri@hawaiicounty.gov.