10-26-22 Kawamoto Swim Stadium Death Ruled a Suicide

Hawai‘i Police Department
Criminal Investigation Division – Area I
Captain Rio Amon-Wilkins
Phone: (808) 961-2251
Report No.: 22-092442

Media Release

Hawai‘i Island police have identified the victim found in the Sparky Kawamoto Swim Stadium swimming pool in Hilo, as 24-year-old Tyler Michael Thor Withers.

Shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, South Hilo patrol officers and Hawai‘i Fire Department personnel responded to the swim stadium on Kalanikoa Street, after receiving a report of a body at the bottom of the pool. When first responders arrived on scene, they determined that County lifeguards had discovered the body and extricated the victim from the water.

Detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section responded to the scene to continue this investigation.

An autopsy was performed and the forensic pathologist ruled the manner of death suicide by drowning. The final autopsy report is pending toxicology results.

Withers is a native of Oregon, however relocated to Hawai‘i Island sometime last year. 

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 Casey Cabral of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2384 or email Casey.Cabral@hawaiicounty.gov.


This entry was posted in Media Releases. Bookmark the permalink. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.
  • Keep your community safe through Crime Stoppers

    Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call the island-wide Crime Stoppers number at 961-8300 and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.00. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers does not record calls or subscribe to any Caller ID service. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

    The Crime Stoppers TV Program is available on-demand from Nā Leo TV.