On April 23, 1978, Valerie Ann Warshay was discovered deceased at the Harry K. Brown Park in Kalapana. The manner of her death was ruled a homicide.

Ms. Warshay was 26 years old and visiting from California where she was employed as a park ranger. She had been on the island for a few weeks prior to her death.

Ms. Warshay made numerous acquaintances across the island and was noted to be an avid hiker. She also played the flute or recorder-style woodwind at social gatherings.

Case Number: (B-21448)

72-year-old Steven Ray Simpsoncharged with the 1978 murder of Valerie Warshay.

Simpson is charged with the murder of Valerie Warshay, which occurred in Kalapana in April of 1978. Ms. Warshay was a park ranger from California who arrived in the spring of 1978 to explore Hawai‘i Island. She was 26 years old when she died. Her body was discovered at Harry K. Brown Park.

As the Indictment alleges, Simpson is charged with Murder (intentionally or knowingly causing the death of another person). The charge is drafted in compliance with the statute as it was in effect in 1978. Murder is punishable by a life term of imprisonment with the possibility of parole.

Simpson is scheduled to make his initial appearance in Hilo Circuit Court via video conference on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Simpson remains in custody in lieu of $250,000.00 bail in this case.

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