Media release by Hawaii County Police

Big Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation in connection with a 31-year-old man whose body was found Wednesday morning after he was swept out to sea Tuesday afternoon.

The victim has been identified as Charles Lyon of Keaʻau.

At 6:32 p.m. Tuesday (February 5) Puna Patrol officers and Fire Department personnel responded to a possible drowning off Makuʻu Drive in Paradise Park. Upon arrival, officers learned that the victim had been washed out to sea while fishing with his brother.

The case was originally classified as a missing persons.

Fire Department and Coast Guard personnel searched for the missing man but were unable to locate him initially and the search was suspended due to nightfall and weather conditions.

The search resumed at first light Wednesday (February 6) morning and the victim’s body was soon located by Hawaiʻi Fire Department personnel.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.