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.
Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen has announced that 72-year-old Steven Ray Simpson was indicted in connection with a cold case investigation by the Hawai‘i Police Department.
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.
“We hope that the filing of these charges brings the Warshay family some sense of closure. They’ve waited a long time for justice,” said Prosecuting Attorney Kelden Waltjen. “I’d like to recognize the hard work of Hawai‘i Police Department Detective Derek Morimoto, Lieutenant Rio Amon-Wilkins, the Area I Criminal Investigation Section, all of the retired officers who played a role in this investigation, and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf, who will be handling the prosecution of this case and is our Office’s cold case prosecution lead. We’d also like to thank the Department of Public Safety’s Sheriff Division, First Deputy Sheriff Lanikoa Dobrowolsky, and Deputy Sheriff Kevin Boswell for their assistance in the arrest.”
The cold case investigation was handled by Detective Derek Morimoto, Area I Criminal Investigation Section, Hawai‘i Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Annaliese Wolf.
The charges are merely allegations, and the Defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Office of the Prosecuting Attorney remains dedicated to the pursuit of justice with integrity and commitment. Anyone having information to assist local law enforcement should call Crime Stoppers at (808) 961-8300.
