(Update) Police Identify One of Two Women Found in Downed Banyan Tree in Hilo

Media Release (Update #2)

Hawai’i Island police detectives have identified one of two women whose remains were recovered from within the debris of a downed banyan tree on Kīlauea Avenue in Hilo, on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Trisha Almazan of Kea‘au. The second woman has not yet been positively identified; detectives are working to confirm her identity through DNA comparison.

Autopsies were conducted on Tuesday, July 22, and the forensic pathologist ruled the cause of death for both women as mechanical asphyxiation with the manner of death ruled accidental.

Police ask anyone with information relative to this investigation to call Detective Sybastian Keltner with the Area I Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2378 or email Sybastian.Keltner@hawaiipolice.gov or the police department’s non-emergency number at (808) 935-3311.