Hawaiʻi Police Department
Criminal Investigation Section Area I
Lieutenant Gregory Esteban
Phone: 961-2252
Report No. C12009277
Media Release (update)
An autopsy performed Tuesday (April 10) confirmed that 17-year-old John Joel Nicholas Buentipo of Keaʻau drowned.
Buentipo was swimming near Shipman Beach in Keaʻau on Friday (April 6) when he reportedly experienced difficulties in the water and was unable to swim back to shore. Fire Department personnel searched with the help of a helicopter and recovered his body Saturday morning (April 7).