Voice of Stephanie Salazar

The remains of a 46 year old Hilo who had been missing since early March were found in an old sugar cane field near Paauilo last Tuesday.

In a media release issued on Friday, Big Island Police identified the remains as that Myra Hatayama.

Police say a top led them to the discovery. X-rays and dental comparisons were used to positively identify the remains.

Hatayama was the subject of a missing person case and she was reportedly last seen by a companion between late Friday evening on March 4th, and early Saturday morning, March 5.

An autopsy was performed Friday morning, but police did not release the preliminary findings, opting instead to wait for results of additional forensic analyses.

This case is currently classified as a coroner’s inquest but foul play has not been ruled out.

Police ask that anyone who may have information or may have information about Hatayama’s activities prior to her disappearance, to call Detective Reed Mahuna of the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at 961-2384.