KEAUHOU, Hawaii: Hawaii County Police report that an unidentified body has been found in heavy brush at Higashihara Park, a public park in Keauhou Mauka.

The finding was made Thursday evening at 5:48 p.m. Fire Department personnel at the scene directed the officers to a partially decomposed body, which was lying in an area of heavy brush and vegetation.

Police have not determined the identity, age or sex of the decedent.

Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation. An autopsy is pending to determine the exact cause of death and to help identify the remains.

Police say a body found at Higashihara park was wearing a blue SpongeBob T-shirt somewhat like the one depicted above.

UPDATE (July 23, 2012): Big Island police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a person whose partially decomposed body was found in a West Hawaiʻi public park on Thursday (July 19).

Police investigation has turned up evidence that the decedent may have been a middle-aged homeless Caucasian man between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-11 who frequented the Kainaliu, Kealakekua and Honalo areas. When found at Higashihara Park in Keauhou Mauka, he was wearing blue jeans, no shoes and a blue T-shirt depicting a SpongeBob character and the words “It’s Hip To Be Square.”

Police ask that anyone with information about his identity call Detective Walter Ah Mow at 326-4646, Ext 238.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona and may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Crime Stoppers is a volunteer program run by ordinary citizens who want to keep their community safe. Crime Stoppers doesn’t record calls or subscribe to caller ID. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

Detectives from the Area II Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation. An autopsy is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday (July 24) to determine the cause of death and to help identify the remains.

SOURCE: Hawaii County Police