Report No. 19-100172
Missing: Benjamin “Benny” Rapoza
Detectives have received a number of inquiries from the public of an online video purported to depict a missing child from Hilo.
The 44-second video captures a male juvenile with the left side of his face heavily painted from his forehead to his upper chest and is singing the song “Somebody That I Used To Know” by artist Gotye and features Kimbra, whose own music video appears to be emulated by the youngster and an unidentified adult male who is also seen in the short video.
Some individuals have taken to social media indicating the juvenile “is or resembles” Benjamin “Benny” Rapoza, who was reported missing in December of 2019 at a residence he and his family were staying at in the 2100 block of Kalanianaole Street in Hilo. The residence is in close proximity to the ocean and high surf conditions existed at the time he went missing.
Police are informing the public that the juvenile seen in the video is not Benny Rapoza. Benny is autistic and non-verbal. The continued spreading of these claims on social media is irresponsible and hurtful to the family.