Preliminary Results Show Woman Died of Smoke Inhalation 06/26/00

HAWAII COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT
KONA CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION SECTION
ACTING LIEUTENANT DONNA M. SPRINGER
PHONE: 326-4203
JUNE 26, 2000
G-33021

MEDIA RELEASE UPDATE

Preliminary results from an autopsy show that a woman whose body was found amid the ruins of a fire Sunday (June 25, 2000) in North Kohala died of smoke inhalation.

The results of the autopsy, conducted Monday, are preliminary. Police are still awaiting the results of toxicological tests before making a final determination.

The female victim was identified through dental records, but her name is being withheld until notification of her next of kin.

Police do not suspect foul play in the woman’s death, and police and fire investigators are continuing their investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Responding to a 4:55 a.m. call Sunday, fire units arrived to find a stand-alone garage that had been converted into a living area completely engulfed in flames. After extinguishing the blaze, firefighters discovered a badly burned body in the remains of the structure.

According to the lessee of the property, he had allowed a 47-year-old homeless female to stay in the structure.

The lessee received burns on his arms and face when he discovered the blaze after being awakened by a loud noise and fought the flames until fire personnel arrived.

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