Preliminary results of an autopsy conducted Tuesday, April 25, indicate that Roger Lasko, 61, of Kukuihaele died from multiple traumatic injuries consistent with a fall.
Police responded to a call at 9:24 p.m. Saturday reporting that Lasko's body had been found on Waipio Valley Road. When officers arrived, he was non-responsive. He was transported to Hilo Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 3:18 a.m. Sunday.
Initial investigation indicated that Lasko fell off a cliff about 40-50 feet from private property above the roadway. His body was found just past the second curve on the road leading down into the valley from the Waipio Valley Lookout.
Police said conditions were dark and rainy the night of the fall. There were no indications of foul play.
The final autopsy report is on hold pending results of a toxicology examination.
Detectives from the East Hawaii Criminal Investigations Section are investigating the case as a coroner's inquest. They ask anyone who witnessed the fall or has any additional information about this case to call Detective Uwao Chartrand at 961-2382 or the Hamakua police station at 775-7533.
