Police Investigate Possible Drowning Of Former Danbury Man At Hawaii Beach

DANBURY, CT — Hawaiʻi Island police are investigating the death of a 61-year-old former Danbury man following a possible drowning Friday afternoon in South Kona.

Police said Bryan Coppola was snorkeling with a family member at Ho‘okena Beach Park on Dec. 26 when he appeared to be in distress. He was brought to shore unresponsive, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started until Hawaiʻi Fire Department medics arrived.

Officers responded at about 1:35 p.m. to Kona Community Hospital after receiving a report of a possible drowning. Medics continued CPR while transporting Coppola to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Authorities said no foul play is suspected at this time. The investigation remains ongoing.

Coppola, of Bethlehem, Connecticut, grew up in Danbury and raised his children in Newtown, according to a Hearst report.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the department’s non-emergency line at 808-935-3311 or email Officer Cody Sheddy of the Kona Patrol at cody.sheddy@hawaiipolice.gov.