Police yesterday identified Colan Santos Fernandez Jr., 28, of Lihu‘e, as the man found dead in the freezer at his work Monday morning. At press time, it was not determined exactly how Fernandez died, however, it was considered a possibility
Police yesterday identified Colan Santos Fernandez Jr., 28, of Lihu‘e, as the man found dead in the freezer at his work Monday morning.
At press time, it was not determined exactly how Fernandez died, however, it was considered a possibility that he had been operating a forklift when he became trapped inside the freezer at Kaua‘i Beverage & Ice Cream Company.
Fellow employees were severely disheartened yesterday about the loss, Kaua‘i Beverage director Lori Otsuka said.
“Some have gone home, some have taken a half day and some have not come in,” she said. “It’s very tragic.”
An autopsy is scheduled for today, Captain Ale Quibilan said, however, police don’t suspect foul play.
A forensic pathologist from Maui who specializes in detailed autopsies has been hired to come to Kaua‘i to determine Fernandez’s cause of death, Quibilan said.
“We have nothing that leads us to suspect any criminal act, but we need to make sure we cover our bases and be sure no criminal activity is discovered,” he said.
The autopsy, which includes blood work and a toxicology report, is estimated to take several weeks, he said, however, any trauma to the body could be determined within a few hours.
