Hawaii County police have opened a murder investigation into the discovery of a woman’s body Tuesday in waters off Kalapana in the Puna District.

An autopsy conducted Wednesday determined that the woman was strangled in a homicide. The case was originally classified a coroner’s inquest before police reclassified it as a murder, police said Thursday.

Police have not yet identified the body. It is described as that of a Caucasian woman possibly in her late 20s or early 30s, about 5 feet 4 to 5 feet 8 with a slim build, short brown hair and a tattoo of the word “Veritas” on her lower back.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Section are continuing the investigation. 

Police ask that anyone who may know the victim or have information on this case to contact Detective Robert Almeida at 961-2386 or ralmeida@co.hawaii.hi.us or Detective Fetuutuunai Amuimuia at 961-2278 or famuimuia@co.hawaii.hi.us.

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. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.