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Identification of last victim in Oahu blast

Almost two weeks after a deadly Oahu explosion, the Honolulu Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the fifth man killed in an underground bunker that stored fireworks.

A medical examiner spokeswoman said Wednesday Robert Leahey died from thermal burns and carbon monoxide inhalation from the explosion of fireworks in a confined space. (Family members had confirmed to reporters that Leahey was one of the victims soon after the accident.) 

Dental records were needed to identify Leahey, which is why a positive identification took longer than the other four victims, according to the medical examiner.

Leahey, the younger brother of longtime Hawaii sports broadcaster Jim Leahey, was pronounced dead on April 8, when he and the other men were working in the Waikele bunker where seized fireworks were stored.

Federal and local investigators are trying to determine the cause of the blast. Remaining fireworks are slowly being removed from the bunker this week.

 

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