HILO (HawaiiNewsNow) – On Friday, Hawaii Island detectives officially identified the second female set of remains that were recovered from within the debris of a downed banyan tree back in July.
According to police, the remains were positively identified by DNA comparison as Michelle Katrina Noelani Comer, 48, of Keaau.
On Aug. 1, police identified the other victim as Trisha Almazan, 35, of Keaau.
Family members said the two were a couple.
The banyan fell on Kilauea Avenue July 12.
A memorial marked the spot where the women’s bodies were recovered from the debris on July 20, more than a week later.
After autopsies were conducted on July 22, the forensic pathologist ruled the cause of death for both women as “mechanical asphyxiation” with the manner of death ruled accidental.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help lay the women to rest.
Police ask anyone with information to call Detective Sybastian Keltner with the Criminal Investigation Section at (808) 961-2378 or email [email protected].
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