Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigations Section/Area I
Lieutenant Gregory M. Esteban
Phone: 961-2252
Report No. C11027241
Media Release
An autopsy conducted Friday (October 21) has confirmed the identity of a body discovered in a Hilo ravine on Tuesday (October 18) as 84-year-old Edward Van Kleeck of Hilo.
The cause of death is still undetermined pending further tests but the medical examiner ruled out foul play and determined that Van Kleeck’s injuries were consistent with a fall from a height.
Tuesday (October 18) shortly after 4 p.m., South Hilo patrol officers responded to upper Kaiwiki Road area to investigate a report of an unattended vehicle. Upon arrival, police discovered that the registered owner of the Volkswagen convertible was Van Kleeck, who could not be accounted for.
Police found indications at the scene that Van Kleeck might be injured. Units from the Hawaiʻi Fire Department arrived to assist in the search of a nearby ravine and were aided by Chopper 1, the Fire Department’s helicopter.
At the bottom of the ravine, Fire department personnel located the body of an elderly Caucasian man with apparent injuries. He was taken to Hilo Medical Center, where he was officially pronounced dead.
Detectives from the Area I Criminal Investigations Section secured the scene overnight and returned Wednesday morning (October 19) to conduct further investigation.
