HONOLULU — A 38-year-old man who died on Kilauea volcano in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park may have committed suicide by jumping into the crater.
Park spokeswoman Jessica Ferracane said Monday that the man was found on the caldera floor about 250 feet below Crater Rim Trail.
The man's father told the Hawaii Tribune Herald that his son had left a suicide note in his backpack before jumping in.
Two hikers found the backpack on a trail Saturday and alerted officials.
Rangers began looking for the owner Saturday night, but the search was suspended because of dangerous conditions.
The body was found Sunday morning by rangers searching by helicopter.
Ferracane said it is believed the man died from a fall, but an investigation is ongoing.
The area is open to visitors, but officials encourage hikers to stay on marked trails. The site does not have an active lava flow, though Kilauea is erupting.
Since 1990, four people have died from falls around the crater rim.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
