2 women found dead in large banyan tree days after it fell in Hawaii, cops say
Two woman were found dead “deep within” a large banyan tree more than a week after it toppled in Hawaii, police said.
No foul play is suspected in their deaths, and “preliminary observations indicate the women were likely struck by falling tree limbs,” the Hawaiʻi Police Department said in a July 20 news release.
The women’s names weren’t released. Police said autopsies are planned later in the week.
The tree fell July 12 on Kīlauea Avenue, a main road in Hilo on the island of Hawaii.
The remains were found in the debris on July 20, police said.
Police responded to investigate after the discovery, and “crews from the Hawai‘i County Department of Public Works, a county-contracted tree trimming company, and (Hawaiʻi Fire Department) spent several hours cutting away large branches to allow access to the victims,” police said.
This story was originally published July 21, 2025 at 8:33 AM.
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