On April 6, 1973, some high school kids checking out the area near Kahikolu Trinity Church in the Nāpo‘opo‘o area (Kealakekua) discovered the partially decomposed body of a woman. Later identified as 21-year-old Gayle Hook, the pathologist said Gayle died of a gunshot wound and had been dead for about a week when her body was discovered.
Originally from Seattle, Washington, Hook came to Hawai’i with a friend about nine months before her death and had been staying mostly in the Kealakekua area near the beach. She didn’t have a car and was known to hitchhike. Hook was last seen alive on March 29, 1973, when she left her residence to go to the beach.
Hook was a free spirited and happy person who was very social and known for being nice to everyone. She loved the beach. Because she had talked about going to Waipi‘o Valley her roommates didn’t report her as missing right away.
A few people have been identified as persons of interests, but no suspect(s) have been developed or identified.
