Missing hiker found dead at East Maui waterfall
Hiker Craig Pitt of Florida was found dead at the base of a waterfall on Saturday, according to police, who launched a search for Pitt after he was reported missing and his car was found along Hana Highway near Bamboo Forest on Friday. MPD photo
MAUI NEWS
Missing hiker Craig Michael Pitt, who reportedly set off alone to explore waterfalls in East Maui, has been found dead, police said Sunday.
Pitt was found Saturday at the base of a waterfall in East Maui, days after he was last seen at his Paia hostel.
Police launched an investigation on Friday after Pitt was reported missing and his car was found parked on the Hana Highway shoulder near Mile Post 7.8. On Saturday, police and fire personnel searched the Bamboo Forest area, using the Fire Department’s Air One helicopter and the Police Department’s search dog, Jack. They discovered the body of a Caucasian male at the base of a waterfall in the area.
The man’s remains were later positively identified through fingerprints as those of Pitt. The circumstances and cause of his death are still under investigation, though foul play is not suspected, police said.
The family has been notified, and police are providing them with assistance.
Pitt, a 35-year-old Florida man, was last seen around noon Wednesday at Banana Bungalows in Paia, police said. It was believed that he planned to hike on one of the trails along Hana Highway. A post on the Find Craig Pitt Facebook page said that Pitt was “an avid climber and hiker and said he was going to explore waterfalls in the area.” The page also said that Pitt “generally hikes alone.”
Police said the case has been reclassified as an “unattended death” and remains an active investigation.
