Downtown Hilo Information Update for February 15th, 2020

The Hawaii Police Department (HPD) detectives continue the investigation of a body found at a homeless encampment on February 14th, 2020.

This incident was not related to the investigation and search for Megan May Funderburk.

Hawaiʻi Police Department Criminal Investigation Section – Area I Lieutenant Rio Amon-Wilkins Phone: (808) 961-2252 Report no.: 20-013282

Hawaiʻi Island Police are continuing their investigation after a body was discovered Friday evening (February 14) at a homeless encampment on the edge of the Wailuku Riverbank in Hilo.

The victim has been positively identified as 28-year-old Isaac Wessel-Rivera of Hilo.

Responding to a call just before 9:00 p.m. Friday evening, South Hilo Patrol officers discovered the deceased body within the encampment.

A male subject was taken into custody for questioning. He is identified as 32-year-old Westen Tegman of Hilo. Upon further investigation and conferring with Hawaiʻi County Prosecutors, Tegman has been released from police custody.

Police detectives with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section are continuing this investigation.

An autopsy will be performed early next week to determine the exact cause of death.

The previous release for this incident erroneously asked for anyone who may have been in the area of the “Wainaku Scenic Lookout last Sunday evening” to call police. It should have read “in the area of the Wailuku River and Wainaku Street last night (February 14)”.

Police ask anyone who may have  been in the area on Friday evening to please contact Detective Blaine Morishita at (808) 961-2385 or email Blaine.Morishita@hawaiicounty.gov or Lieutenant Rio Amon-Wilkins at (808) 961-2252 or email Rio.Amon-Wilkins@hawaiicounty.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.

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.