Nāʻālehu, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating a possible drowning involving a 59-year-old female visitor from Oroville, California, who was pronounced deceased after being pulled from the ocean at Whittington Beach Park in Nāʻālehu on Sunday afternoon, June 22, 2025. The woman has been identified as Stacy Coon.
At approximately 2:40 p.m. on Sunday, police responded to a distress call regarding a swimmer at Whittington Beach Park. Witnesses reported seeing Coon swimming about 40 yards from shore when she began to call for help. Several bystanders bravely entered the water to assist her, bringing her back to shore where she reportedly became unresponsive. Bystanders immediately initiated CPR until first responders arrived at the scene.
Despite continuous resuscitative efforts by both bystanders and medical personnel, Coon remained unresponsive and was later pronounced deceased at Kaʻū Hospital.
An autopsy has been requested to determine the exact cause of death.
Police are asking that anyone with information regarding this incident contact Kaʻū Patrol Officer Taylor Au at (808) 939-2520.