Body found in fire identified, but cause of death unknown

Question: Whatever happened in the case of the skeletal remains of a man uncovered in a Nanakuli brush fire in 2010?

Answer: Police closed the case after classifying it as an unattended death. The medical examiner said the cause of death was unknown.

The man was identified as Joseph Mason, 45, of Waianae, who was reported missing after leaving his home on June 17, 2005.

A few days later, police issued a CrimeStoppers bulletin asking for help in finding Mason.

On Oct. 5, 2010, his remains were found by firefighters trying to put out a blaze about a mile from the ocean and a few hundred yards on the Nanakuli side of Lualualei Naval Road.

No wallet or other forms of identification were found near the remains.

Seven months after his disappearance, Hawaii News Now reported an Oahu grand jury returned an indictment against Mason and four others on felony theft charges.

The five allegedly broke into a Pictures Plus warehouse at Campbell Industrial Park and stole more than $40,000 worth of maple veneer wood.

According to the Hawaii News Now report, the theft occurred more than a month after Mason disappeared.

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This update was written by Gregg Kakesako. Suggest a topic for “Whatever Happened To …” by writing Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210, Honolulu 96813; calling 529-4747; or emailing cityeditors@staradvertiser.com.